Stay Active Exercise is important
Picture courtesy of David Lloyd Leisure
Regular, moderate exercise is now recognised as an important element in maintaining general health and well being.
Exercise reduces the risk of coronary disease, lowers blood pressure, helps to control weight and helps protect against osteoporosis. Regular activity can also have a role in reducing stress and low mood.
In the past, people with MS were advised to avoid exertion. It was felt that as many people with MS experienced fatigue and found their symptoms worsened when hot, it was best to avoid activities that could be seen as tiring.
This view has now been overturned and a research study in 1996 [1] showed specific benefits of exercise for people with MS. The trial compared a group of people with mild to moderate MS who followed an exercise programme for 15 weeks with a similar group who didn’t exercise. None of the people in either group had been exercising before the trial.
At the end of the trial, people from the exercise group were showing reduced fatigue levels and improvements in strength, mobility and bowel and bladder function. They also reported improved mood and showed a reduction in stored fat and markers associated with the risk of cardiovascular disease.
1. Petajan JH, et al. Impact of aerobic training on fitness and quality of life in multiple sclerosis. Annals of Neurology 1996;39:432-441