No abstract

Twenty-three individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) participated in a 6-month exercise training program; 11 ambulatory (AMB) and 8 semi-ambulatory (SEMI). Four persons with MS served as non-exercising controls (C). A test of maximal aerobic power (VO 2max ) was administered at baseline to all subjects. AMB and SEMI subjects exercised on alternating days for 30 minutes, at 55-60% VO 2max using either a commercially available recumbent or upright combination leg/arm bicycle ergometer. At the end of 12 and 24 weeks, exercising subjects were reevaluated. The C group was only re-evaluated at 24 weeks. The results show that the AMB and SEMI groups experienced a +20% and +5% improvement in VO 2max , respectively. The C group averaged a 12% decline in VO 2max during the 6 months. These data demonstrate the possibility that although exercise improves cardiovascular fitness of some persons with less severe MS, this beneficial response may not apply to the more severely impaired patient. Nevertheless, improved cardiovascular health at any level may enhance the overall rehabilitation outcome of many individuals in this patient population.

No abstract

The purpose of this study was to utilize the technique of quantitative gait analysis on individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) to provide a more accurate representation of gait patterns than subjective clinician observation alone and then compare those patterns to reported results from normal subjects without neurological disorders. Ten subjects with MS were evaluated by clinical quantitative gait analysis. The results indicated that individuals with M S responded with a 9% decrease in cadence, 7.5 YO decrease in velocity, 8% decrease in stride length, 17% increase in single stance time, and 56% increase in double stance time compared to normal values. There were also diminished angular displacement values for the hip, knee, and ankle, with an increase measured in pelvic tilt. Ground reaction forces were found to be significantly different for vertical forces and anterior-posterior forces. These data appear to suggest that the technique of quantitative gait analysis can provide accurate scientific assessment of gait disturbances through evaluation of kinetic, kinematic, and temporal variables and subjects diagnosed with M S may have impaired gait patterns that may not be evident during subjective analysis alone.