ORIGINAL ARTICLE  EPIDEMIOLOGY AND CLINICAL MEDICINE 

The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness 2018 July-August;58(7-8):1127-34

DOI: 10.23736/S0022-4707.17.07621-6

Copyright © 2017 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Effects of resistance training on the physical condition of people with multiple sclerosis

Felipe J. AIDAR ^{1, 2, 3} ✉, André L. CARNEIRO ⁴, Osvaldo COSTA MOREIRA ^{5, 6}, Cláudia E. PATROCÍNIO de OLIVEIRA ^{6, 7}, Nuno D. GARRIDO ^{4, 8}, Victor MACHADO REIS ⁸, Igor RAINEH ⁴, José M. VILAÇA ^{4, 8}, Dihogo GAMA de MATOS ⁴

¹ Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão, Sergipe, Brazil; ² Graduate Program in Physical Education, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão, Sergipe, Brazil; ³ Brazilian Paralympic Academy, Brazilian Paralympic Committee, Brasilia, Brazil; ⁴ Department of Sports Science, Exercise and Health of the Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro University, Vila Real, Portugal; ⁵ Biological Science and Health Institute, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, Florestal Campus, Minas Gerais, Brazil; ⁶ Biomedicine Institute, University of Leon, León, Spain; ⁷ Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil; ⁸ Research Center in Sports Sciences, Health and Human Development (CIDESD), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, UTAD, Vila Real, Portugal

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of resistance training on the functional capacity of people with multiple sclerosis. Two groups were defined intentionally and divided based on the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS): an experimental group (EG) consisting of 11 individuals, 18.2% with an EDSS Score of 0-3.0, 72.8% with a score of 3.5-5.5 and 9.1% with a score of 6.0-7.5; and a control group (CG) consisting of 12 subjects, 25.0% with a score of 0-3.0, 58.3% with a score of 3.5-5.5 and 16.7% with a score of 6.0-7.5.
METHODS: The EG underwent 12 weeks of resistance training, while the CG did not. The Timed “Up & Go” test was used to measure the function of the lower limbs. The Timed 7.62 Meters Walk test and the Sit-to-stand test were used to assess the strength of the lower limbs. Balance, and the risk of falling, were assessed through the Berg Balance Test.
RESULTS: At the beginning of the study, there were no differences between EG and CG in lower limb function. However, after the 12 weeks of resistance training, significant differences were found between the EG and the CG in the Timed “Up and Go” test (P=0.021), Timed 7.62 Meters Walk (P=0.027), Sit-to-stand (P=0.017) and Balance test (P=0.039).
CONCLUSIONS: This study’s results indicate that this type of training can improve muscle strength and functional capacity in patients with multiple sclerosis.

KEY WORDS: Multiple sclerosis - Exercise - Resistance training