Exercise for Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a demylenating disease affecting the central nervous system (CNS). Loss of fatty tissue, or myelin, surrounds the nerves and adversely affects smooth and rapid conduction along CNS pathways. MS symptoms can range from minimal to severe. Following are some symptoms that could affect an MS client's ability to exercise:

* Impaired balance

* Uncoordinated movements

* Easily fatigued

* A feeling of numbness

* Muscle weakness

* Possible muscle paralysis

* Tremor and shaking

* Cardiovascular problems
Exercise cannot cure MS, but it can improve the short term physical fitness performances of strength, endurance and aerobic fitness. When training someone with MS you mave to take the following precautions:

* Remember that fatigue can reduce exercise tolerance

* Poor balance may influence the type of exercise chosen

* Sensory loss may eliminate upright activities such as walking or running

* Spastic muscles may require you to strap the clients feet down

* Recumbant cycling is a good exercise as it helps control balance

* Incontinence is common so give the client ample opportunities to use the restroom
* Paralysis is much more common in the lower extremeties

* Drugs for MS can create flu-like side effects increasing fatigue

* Some individuals have foot drop which reduces exercise capacity

*Controlling resistance in the arms and legs can reduce fatigue

Exercise precription for individuals with MS should concentrate on maintenance. When possible, try to make improvements in flexibilty, cardiorespiratory fitness and muscular strength and endurance. Fatigue is the most cited complaint, so anything you can do to make movements more efficient and less energy consuming will lead to greater gains. The condition of the disease itself can vary from day to day so trainers must have several lesson plans ready for each exercise session.

MS clients may also have psychological and cognitive problems. Memory loss is common and may require written directions as well as verbal communication. Those with MS may also require more mental processing time to grasp instructions. Trainers should be competent in more than one way of communicating.

Because MS symptoms can deteriorate at a slower or faster rate, each individual's manner of fitness progression will vary. Trainers need to be aware of daily variations in medication side effects, rate of fatigue, and other changes in MS symptoms. The trainer should be knowledgabe in lifting, carrying and general assistance techniques for people with disabilities.

Some person's with MS have an absent or slowed sweating response. In order to avoid overheating, exercise rooms should be kept at a neutral or cool temperature. Fans should be provided and the clients encouraged to drink often.

Lack of standard research in this area and the variability of physical parameters in MS patients makes it nearly impossible to set easy to follow exercise protocols. It is important to follow The American College of Sports Medicine's guidelines for testing clients with MS and to work closely with their neurologist. Less severe MS symptoms will usually show greater improvement from exercising. As the symptoms get worse, the increase in physical benefits will slow with more time needed for improvements.

Dr. Lanny Schaffer is an Exercise Physiologist and the President of The International Fitness Academy. For more cutting edge fitness ideas go to http://www.aerobics-exercise-coach.com