Introduction
From young children to senior citizens, no matter your age, physical exercise is a necessary requirement throughout daily life. There are also multiple advantages of working out for patients with multiple sclerosis. Participating in physical activity improves mental and physical health and decreases the side- effects of multiple sclerosis.
Mental and Physical Improvements
According to a December issue of Multiple Sclerosis journal, after eight weeks of supervised resistance training on conventional gym equipment, eight MS patients had stronger muscles, could walk better, and reported less overall fatigue and disability. In addition to these benefits, training aids in strength, aerobic capacity, and ambulatory performance may improve fatigue, balance, and overall quality of life. Although Multiple Sclerosis patients are extremely sensitive to heat, which is a common consequence of exercise, strength training does not increase body temperature like aerobic exercise. While all human brains shrink over one’s lifetime, patients with Multiple Sclerosis shrink more rapidly. Physical activity can reduce brain atrophy- shrinking of the brain caused by the loss of its cells and increase electromyography activity- impulses from the brain to the muscles. Weight training not only reduces symptoms but also betters the disease process. It can protect nerve cells from damage and degeneration affected by Multiple Sclerosis, potentially reversing the impacts of this disease.
Optimal Workout Plan
According to a study the most beneficial workout plan consists of resistance training twice per week for 6 months in order to have the maximum reduction of brain atrophy in patients with RRMS- relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. It is important to keep in mind that there are possible limitations when performing certain activities since the muscles and nervous systems of patients do not respond the same as people without this condition. A critical step before exercising is warming up in order to prepare the body for additional strain and resistance. Resistance training covers a great variety of training plans including free weights, great for people with limited mobility since they can be utilized throughout the full range of one’s body movements; resistance training equipment in gyms such as cable row, pull-up bar, or leg-press; and bodyweight training, a great budget, and home-friendly option.
Conclusion
Overall, physical training is an essential part of one’s well-being. It has numerous physical and emotional benefits, especially for multiple sclerosis patients. Although the studies on the actual changes as a result of exercise are still in the early stages, there is enough evidence suggesting there are primarily positive effects. Despite scientists being unable to pinpoint the exact reasons for the reduction of brain autopsy after exercise, there are multiple research teams tackling that question today.
WORK CITED
Halabchi, Farzin, et al. “Exercise Prescription for Patients with Multiple Sclerosis; Potential Benefits and Practical Recommendations.” BMC Neurology, BioMed Central, 16 Sept. 2017, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5602953/.
Lyons, David. “Bodybuilding with Multiple Sclerosis.” EverydayHealth.com, Everyday Health, 2013, https://www.everydayhealth.com/columns/ms-fitness-challenge/ms-fitness/.
“Staying Active: Resistance Training and MS.” Staying Active: Resistance Training and MS | MS Trust, Multiple Sclerosis Trust, 2018, https://mstrust.org.uk/news/views-and-comments/staying-active-resistance-training-and-ms.
“Study Shows Weight Training Gives MS Patients Physical, Emotional Benefits.” News, University of Florida, 2005, https://news.ufl.edu/archive/2005/01/study-shows-weight-training-gives-ms-patients-physical-emotional-benefits.html#:~:text=The%20study%2C%20published%20in%20the,less%20overall%20fatigue%20and%20disability.
Whiteman, Honor. “Multiple Sclerosis: Resistance Training May Reduce Brain Atrophy.” Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, 2017, https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318752.
Comments