Effects of Body Cooling and Progressive Resistance Exercise Training in Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological, degenerative, often episodic disease of the central nervous system. It is marked by patchy destruction of the myelin that surrounds and insulates nerve fibers. Multiple sclerosis is usually diagnosed in young adulthood. The disease is manifested by one or more mild, moderate or severe neural or muscular symptoms resulting in impairment. Impairments include but are exclusive to spastic weakness, local sensory losses, bladder and/or bowel dysfunction or visual disturbances.
Approximately 80% of MS patients are intolerant to warm environments (water, ambient air, internal metabolic heat from exercise, etc.). Body warming usually induces significant fatigue, visual disturbance, cognitive problems and lessened balance and endurance to perform activities of daily living.
Body core cooling for 60 minutes prior to progressive resistance exercise (PRE) among heat-sensitive MS patients will increase exercise tolerance and provide a better exercise stimulus for chronic exercise adaptation. The exercise adaptation will lead to increased: strength, coordination and endurance; and decreased: fatigue, depression and disability.
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