High Intensity Exercise in Multiple Sclerosis: Effects on Muscle Contractile Characteristics and Exercise Capacity, a Randomised Controlled Trial

Inez Wens; Ulrik Dalgas; Frank Vandenabeele; Lotte Grevendonk; Kenneth Verboven; Dominique Hansen; Bert O Eijnde

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0133697

High Intensity Exercise in Multiple Sclerosis: Effects on Muscle Contractile Characteristics and Exercise Capacity, a Randomised Controlled Trial

PLoS One. 2015 Sep 29;10(9):e0133697. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0133697. eCollection 2015.

Authors

Inez Wens¹, Ulrik Dalgas², Frank Vandenabeele¹, Lotte Grevendonk¹, Kenneth Verboven¹, Dominique Hansen¹, Bert O Eijnde¹

Affiliations

¹ REVAL Rehabilitation Research Center, BIOMED Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building A, Diepenbeek, Belgium.
² Section of Sport Science, Dep. Public Health, Aarhus University, Dalgas Avenue 4, 8000, Aarhus, C, Denmark.

Abstract

Introduction: Low-to-moderate intensity exercise improves muscle contractile properties and endurance capacity in multiple sclerosis (MS). The impact of high intensity exercise remains unknown.

Methods: Thirty-four MS patients were randomized into a sedentary control group (SED, n = 11) and 2 exercise groups that performed 12 weeks of a high intensity interval (HITR, n = 12) or high intensity continuous cardiovascular training (HCTR, n = 11), both in combination with resistance training. M.vastus lateralis fiber cross sectional area (CSA) and proportion, knee-flexor/extensor strength, body composition, maximal endurance capacity and self-reported physical activity levels were assessed before and after 12 weeks.

Results: Compared to SED, 12 weeks of high intensity exercise increased mean fiber CSA (HITR: +21 ± 7%, HCTR: +23 ± 5%). Furthermore, fiber type I CSA increased in HCTR (+29 ± 6%), whereas type II (+23 ± 7%) and IIa (+23 ± 6%,) CSA increased in HITR. Muscle strength improved in HITR and HCTR (between +13 ± 7% and +45 ± 20%) and body fat percentage tended to decrease (HITR: -3.9 ± 2.0% and HCTR: -2.5 ± 1.2%). Furthermore, endurance capacity (Wmax +21 ± 4%, time to exhaustion +24 ± 5%, VO2max +17 ± 5%) and lean tissue mass (+1.4 ± 0.5%) only increased in HITR. Finally self-reported physical activity levels increased 73 ± 19% and 86 ± 27% in HCTR and HITR, respectively.

Conclusion: High intensity cardiovascular exercise combined with resistance training was safe, well tolerated and improved muscle contractile characteristics and endurance capacity in MS.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01845896.

Publication types

Clinical Trial
Randomized Controlled Trial
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adult
Body Composition
Combined Modality Therapy
Exercise Therapy*
Exercise*
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Multiple Sclerosis / therapy*
Muscle Contraction
Muscle Fibers, Skeletal
Muscle Strength
Physical Endurance
Treatment Outcome

Associated data

ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT01845896

Grants and funding

This work was supported by MS Fund, Limburg, Flanders, Belgium. Ulrik Dalgas has received research support, travel grants and/or teaching honorary from Biogen Idec, Merck Serono and Sanofi Aventis and further serves as PI for the ongoing Biogen sponsored ACTIMS study. This does not alter our adherence to Plos One policies on sharing data and materials. Furthermore, the funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.