Epub: Skjerbæk et al. Heat sensitive persons with multiple sclerosis are more tolerant to resistance exercise than to endurance exercise. Mult Scler. 2012 Nov.
BACKGROUND: Heat sensitivity is reported by 58% of all MSers, causing symptom exacerbation possibly limiting exercise participation.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to test the hypotheses that (a) a relationship between exercise-induced changes in core-temperature and changes in symptom intensity exists, and (b) that resistance exercise, as a consequence of a minor increase in core temperature, will induce a lesser worsening of symptoms than endurance exercise in heat sensitive MSers.
METHODS: On two separate days, 16 heat sensitive MSers randomly completed a session of resistance exercise and endurance exercise or endurance exercise and resistance exercise respectively. Testing was conducted pre, post and one hour after exercise and consisted of Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scoring (fatigue, spasticity, pain, strength, walking and balance), the 5-time sit-to-stand (5STS), the Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite (MSFC) and Body Sway. Composite scores describing average subjective symptom intensity and total number of symptoms were calculated from VAS scores.
RESULTS: Core-temperature (0.9±0.4°C vs 0.3±0.1°C, p<0.001), subjective symptom intensity 1.7±1.9 cm vs 0.6±1.5 cm, p<0.05) and total number of symptoms (1.6±1.9 vs 0.6±2.1, p<0.05) increased significantly more during endurance exercise than resistance exercise. Changes in core-temperature correlated to changes in symptom intensity (r=0.50, p<0.01). No differences were observed in 5STS, MSFC and Body Sway scores after endurance exercise when compared to resistance exercise.
CONCLUSION: An exercise-induced increase in core-temperature is associated with increased number and severity of perceived symptoms in heat sensitive MSers. Based on these findings it is expected that heat sensitive MSers do tolerate resistance exercise better than endurance exercise.
"This study demonstrates how sensitive some MSers are to changes in temperature. Are you? An important question that needs answering in relation to this problem is does these transient changes in temperature-induced changes in neurological function damage and speed up neurodegeneration in the affected pathways. Previous work on the hot-bath tests suggest it may. This clearly needs to be established so that we can advise MSers on what the best course of action to take in relation to exercise and heat."
The other post of interest: Multiple Sclerosis Research: Hot bath test; 11 Jun 2012
Poll of the week:
BACKGROUND: Heat sensitivity is reported by 58% of all MSers, causing symptom exacerbation possibly limiting exercise participation.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to test the hypotheses that (a) a relationship between exercise-induced changes in core-temperature and changes in symptom intensity exists, and (b) that resistance exercise, as a consequence of a minor increase in core temperature, will induce a lesser worsening of symptoms than endurance exercise in heat sensitive MSers.
METHODS: On two separate days, 16 heat sensitive MSers randomly completed a session of resistance exercise and endurance exercise or endurance exercise and resistance exercise respectively. Testing was conducted pre, post and one hour after exercise and consisted of Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scoring (fatigue, spasticity, pain, strength, walking and balance), the 5-time sit-to-stand (5STS), the Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite (MSFC) and Body Sway. Composite scores describing average subjective symptom intensity and total number of symptoms were calculated from VAS scores.
RESULTS: Core-temperature (0.9±0.4°C vs 0.3±0.1°C, p<0.001), subjective symptom intensity 1.7±1.9 cm vs 0.6±1.5 cm, p<0.05) and total number of symptoms (1.6±1.9 vs 0.6±2.1, p<0.05) increased significantly more during endurance exercise than resistance exercise. Changes in core-temperature correlated to changes in symptom intensity (r=0.50, p<0.01). No differences were observed in 5STS, MSFC and Body Sway scores after endurance exercise when compared to resistance exercise.
CONCLUSION: An exercise-induced increase in core-temperature is associated with increased number and severity of perceived symptoms in heat sensitive MSers. Based on these findings it is expected that heat sensitive MSers do tolerate resistance exercise better than endurance exercise.
"This study demonstrates how sensitive some MSers are to changes in temperature. Are you? An important question that needs answering in relation to this problem is does these transient changes in temperature-induced changes in neurological function damage and speed up neurodegeneration in the affected pathways. Previous work on the hot-bath tests suggest it may. This clearly needs to be established so that we can advise MSers on what the best course of action to take in relation to exercise and heat."
The other post of interest: Multiple Sclerosis Research: Hot bath test; 11 Jun 2012
Poll of the week: