Summary: Researchers report resistance training may slow down the progression of multiple sclerosis by protecting the nervous system against the disease.
Source: Aarhus University.
New research shows that resistance training protects the brain in persons with multiple sclerosis, which may delay the development of the disease.
In the past, multiple sclerosis patients were advised not to exercise for fear of exacerbating the illness. However, it is now known that physical training can relieve many of the symptoms, including the excessive fatigue and mobility impairments that are often seen. New research now shows that resistance training may protect the nervous system and thus slow the progression of the disease.
This is the main finding of a study conducted by a research partnership between Aarhus University, Aarhus University Hospital, the University of Southern Denmark and the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, that has just been published in Multiple Sclerosis Journal.
The study shows that resistance training has a number of positive effects on the brain, which go beyond what can be achieved through effective disease specific medication.
“Over the past six years, we have been pursuing the idea that physical training has effects on more than just the symptoms, and this study provides the first indications that physical exercise may protect the nervous system against the disease,” says one of the researchers behind the study, Associate Professor Ulrik Dalgas from the Department of Public Health at Aarhus University.
“For the past 15 years, we have known that physical exercise does not harm people with multiple sclerosis, but instead often has a positive impact on, for example, their ability to walk, their levels of fatigue, their muscle strength and their aerobic capacity, which has otherwise often deteriorated. But the fact that physical training also seems to have a protective effect on the brain in people with multiple sclerosis is new and important knowledge,” says Ulrik Dalgas.
In the study, the researchers followed 35 people with multiple sclerosis for six months. Half of the group engaged in resistance training twice a week, while the other half continued to live their lives normally without systematic training.
Prior to and following the six-month period, the test subjects had their brains MR-scanned, and the researchers could see that there was a tendency for the brain to shrink less in those patients who undertook resistance training.
“Among persons with multiple sclerosis, the brain shrinks markedly faster than normal. Drugs can counter this development, but we saw a tendency that training further minimises brain shrinkage in patients already receiving medication. In addition, we saw that several smaller brain areas actually started to grow in response to training,” says Ulrik Dalgas.
The researchers behind the study are still unable to explain why training has a positive effect on the brain in people with multiple sclerosis. A bigger and more in-depth on-going study will help to clarify this, and may also lead to improved treatment options, says Ulrik Dalgas. However, he stresses that the aim is not to replace medication with physical training.
“Phasing out drugs in favour of training is not realistic. On the other hand, the study indicates that systematic physical training can be a far more important supplement during treatment than has so far been assumed. This aspect needs to be thoroughly explored,” says Ulrik Dalgas.
It is not yet clear whether all people with multiple sclerosis can benefit from this type of exercise, as it has not been sufficiently tested in the more severely affected patients. Therefore, Ulrik Dalgas is not recommending that all multiple sclerosis patients throw themselves into intensive physical training regimes without first seeking professional advice.
Funding: Augustinus Fonden, Hestehandler Ole Jacobsens Mindelegat, Biogen Idec funded the research.
Source: Aarhus University
Image Source: NeuroscienceNews.com image is in the public domain.
Original Research: Abstract for “Can resistance training impact MRI outcomes in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis?” by Tue Kjølhede, Susanne Siemonsen, Damian Wenzel, Jan-Patrick Stellmann, Steffen Ringgaard, Bodil Ginnerup Pedersen, Egon Stenager, Thor Petersen, Kristian Vissing, Christoph Heesen, and Ulrik Dalgas in Multiple Sclerosis Journal. Published online July 28 2017 doi:10.1177/1352458517722645
[cbtabs][cbtab title=”MLA”]Aarhus University “Resistance Training May Slow Multiple Sclerosis Progression.” NeuroscienceNews. NeuroscienceNews, 1 August 2017.
<https://neurosciencenews.com/ms-resistance-training-7220/>.[/cbtab][cbtab title=”APA”]Aarhus University (2017, August 1). Resistance Training May Slow Multiple Sclerosis Progression. NeuroscienceNew. Retrieved August 1, 2017 from https://neurosciencenews.com/ms-resistance-training-7220/[/cbtab][cbtab title=”Chicago”]Aarhus University “Resistance Training May Slow Multiple Sclerosis Progression.” https://neurosciencenews.com/ms-resistance-training-7220/ (accessed August 1, 2017).[/cbtab][/cbtabs]
Abstract
Can resistance training impact MRI outcomes in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis?
Background:
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is characterised by accelerated brain atrophy, which relates to disease progression. Previous research shows that progressive resistance training (PRT) can counteract brain atrophy in other populations.
Objective:
To evaluate the effects of PRT by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and clinical measures of disease progression in people with MS.
Methods:
This study was a 24-week randomised controlled cross-over trial, including a Training (n = 18, 24 weeks of PRT followed by self-guided physical activity) and Waitlist group (n = 17, 24 weeks of habitual lifestyle followed by PRT). Assessments included disability measures and MRI (lesion load, global brain volume, percentage brain volume change (PBVC) and cortical thickness).
Results:
While the MS Functional Composite score improved, Expanded Disability Status Scale, lesion load and global brain volumes did not differ between groups. PBVC tended to differ between groups and higher absolute cortical thickness values were observed in 19 of 74 investigated cortical regions after PRT. Observed changes were confirmed and reproduced when comparing relative cortical thickness changes between groups for four areas: anterior cingulate gyrus, temporal pole, orbital sulcus and inferior temporal sulcus.
Conclusion:
PRT seem to induce an increase in cortical thickness, indicating that PRT have a neuroprotective or even neuroregenerative effect in relapsing-remitting MS.
“Can resistance training impact MRI outcomes in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis?” by Tue Kjølhede, Susanne Siemonsen, Damian Wenzel, Jan-Patrick Stellmann, Steffen Ringgaard, Bodil Ginnerup Pedersen, Egon Stenager, Thor Petersen, Kristian Vissing, Christoph Heesen, and Ulrik Dalgas in Multiple Sclerosis Journal. Published online July 28 2017 doi:10.1177/1352458517722645
