Muscle fiber size increases following resistance training in multiple sclerosis

Abstract

We conclude that progressive resistance training induces a compensatory increase of muscle fiber size in patients with the central nervous system disorder, multiple sclerosis.

Effects of high-speed power training on muscle strength and power in patients with multiple sclerosis

“…Hence, both training protocols (high-speed power training and progressive resistance training) seem to induce similar isometric strength adaptations in patients with MS (from 11% to 17%). It is generally believed that MVIC increases after resistance exercise training in patients with MS are caused by neural adaptations rather than by increased muscle mass [22,34,36,42]. This notion seems to explain isometric force gains in other populations as well, such as in adult nondisabled subjects [43][44][45].…”

Muscle Morphological and Strength Adaptations to Endurance Vs. Resistance Training

“…The serial sections were visualized and analyzed using a Leica DM2000 microscope (Leica, Stockholm, Sweden) and a Leica Hi-resolution Color DFC camera (Leica, Stockholm, Sweden) combined with image-analysis software (Leica Qwin ver. 3, Leica, Stockholm, Sweden) as described by Dalgas et al (14). The investigator was blinded to pre/post samples and subject information.…”

Uphill and Downhill Walking in Multiple Sclerosis

“…1 Due to the variety of functional disability in patients with MS, rehabilitation intervention, especially exercise therapy, is a necessary part of their treatment protocol. 2 In general, different types of exercise therapy are used to enhance functional activity, muscle strength, and mobility in patients with MS. [3][4][5] The results of these studies showed not only that aerobic exercises can cause physiologic changes 5 and improve ambulatory function and fatigue 6 but also that strength training exercise can increase muscle fiber size 7 and muscle strength 3 and improve functional activities and balance in patients with MS. 4 In a systematic review study, the authors suggested that "resistance training of moderate intensity seems to be well tolerated and to have beneficial effects on patients with MS." 8(p51) Endurance and resistance training sessions have been designed based on concentric contraction (contraction accompanied by shortening of muscle length, eg, uphill walking) of the involved muscles, which causes muscular hypertrophy and improves functional activity. 9 It must be pointed out that these types of exercises are generally considered high-intensity training (60%-80% of the maximum voluntary contraction force), which may tire out patients with MS. 10 However, some research has shown that eccentric exercise training (contraction accompanied by elongation of muscle length, eg, downhill walking), compared with concentric exercise, may improve balance in elderly people 11 and increase muscle strength in patients with Parkinson disease 12 and MS. 13 This is due to its potential for high muscle force production at a uniquely low energy cost 14 so that downhill walking (as a model of eccentric exercise) requires less energy cost than uphill walking (as a model of concentric exercise).…”