Patients with MS can successfully tolerate and adhere to high-intensity training (HIT) modalities, and HIT may be beneficial for improving some functional outcomes in these patients, according to findings published in Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders. Susan Kasser, PhD, and colleagues assessed 13 studies of HIT in patients with MS (N=375) with a range of functional abilities (Expanded Disability Status Scale range, 0-6.5) and varying MS phenotypes. HIT modalities that used aerobic, resistance, and functional training resulted in a significant, consistent benefit in terms of walking speed and walking endurance in response to HIT, although the evidence for improvements in balance and mobility was less definitive. Dr. Kasser and colleagues noted that the presence of fatigue as “a significant barrier to exercise participation” among patients with MS makes exercises with short durations and increasing intensity valuable for attaining maximum health benefits. “Given the evidence for high-intensity exercise training, better understanding of its effectiveness for persons with MS is valuable,” they wrote.
