How Resistance Training Could Help with Multiple Sclerosis

Another study conducted by researchers at the Kennedy Krieger Institute and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine found that an effective resistance training program could improve hip strength and walking ability in individuals with neurodegenerative diseases, such as MS. The program consisted of exercises using resistant elastic bands in order to help individuals with MS to strengthen core mobility muscles. Moreover, the exercises could be modified to assist in different levels of muscle weakness (profound, mild, or asymmetric), thus helping to alleviate disability. The 3 month program included a group of 30 individuals with MS and 30 healthy controls. The procedure involved proper explanation of the program, followed by evaluation of each individual’s motor and function impairments through a break test. Before starting with each exercise, participants were instructed to look at the exercise log and choose a resistance level appropriate to their abilities and needs. Participants with weaker muscle strength were assigned less aggressive forms of a couple of the exercises.