With 2012 being the year of the Olympics, many of us will have noticed the various campaigns pushing us to get out and get fit. We receive regular updates on the benefits of exercise to our health and have become increasingly familiar with phrases like ‘30 minutes a day’ and ‘at least 3 times a week.’ Now, there is growing evidence to suggest that regular physical activity may also benefit Multiple Sclerosis (MS) sufferers – lessening their fatigue, aiding walking mobility and improving their quality of life.
MS is one of the most common neurological disorders affecting young adults today. Approximately 250 million people from around the world currently suffer from this disease; including some well-known faces from the Olympic sporting community itself. Some may recall the 4-times Olympic Gold medallist, Betty Cuthbert for instance, who was diagnosed with MS back in her thirties.
MS is a chronic autoimmune disease, where the bodies own immune system targets and damages the sufferers nervous tissue. The disease specifically targets the fatty covering which surrounds most nerve fibres (called myelin). Myelin is necessary for nerve cells to communicate efficiently over long distances, meaning that nerve fibres of MS sufferers are significantly less efficient at sending messages around the body. As a result, MS sufferers present with a range of symptoms, depending on where the damage is located, including fatigue, muscle weakness and reduced mobility.
Quite understandably, MS sufferers therefore tend to be less active than the general population. Approximately 75-95% of patients with MS report fatigue as their most common symptom, with at least half of suffers classifying it as being the most troublesome. To date no medicines have been approved by drug licensing bodies to treat MS-related fatigue. A number of studies trialling exercise therapy in MS sufferers, however, have yielded promising results…
A few years back in 2009, two independent research groups reviewed the use of physical activity to treat MS-associated fatigue and mobility problems. Maria Garrett and Susan Coote, based at Limerick University’s department of Physiotherapy, reviewed 19 related studies which took place between 2004 and 2008. Whilst Robert Motl and Erin Snook from the University of Illinois, drew evidence from 22 further studies spanning a period of more than 40 years. The type of exercise both groups were interested in consisted of regular and supervised exercise regimes which progressed in intensity over several weeks.
Crucially, the main conclusions that both Garrett’s and Motl’s groups drew from their assessments were that formal exercise programmes can have a positive impact on fatigue and walking mobility in patients with MS. In addition, no harmful effects or exacerbation to symptoms were seen in any of the studies, and patients generally felt their quality of life was improved by the therapy.
Despite a few limitations (such as small sample size), which may have biased the studies, both research groups believed that there was sufficient merit in these findings to justify further research into the area. In their discussions, Garrett and Motl both recommend the development of longer, larger and more controlled trials involving the use of exercise therapy on patients with MS. Unfortunately, while it seems this research may be well worth carrying out, no such studies have yet appeared.
However, just this year Robert Motl from the University of Illinois headed a pilot study on exercise intervention for MS. This research, published in the March 2012 edition of the Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy, investigated the effects of an 8-week exercise programme on 13 patients with MS. This regime involved a mixture of aerobic, resistance and balance-based exercises supervised by an experienced physiotherapist. Promisingly, all the patients involved in this trial reported improvements in their walking mobility. Objective measures showing increased walking speeds also supported patient feedback. Looking at these results, one would certainly hope this trial will be a precursor to research on a larger scale.
So perhaps this year, MS sufferers could actually benefit from ‘jumping on the Olympic bandwagon’ to get active and exercise. After all, research so far has implied no harmful effects of using exercise therapy for patients with MS. Not to mention the small but promising number of trials, we have discussed here, which indicate that physical activity may in fact aid fatigue and walking mobility in suffers. Given such evidence, healthcare professionals may also look towards encouraging a change in the behaviour of their MS patients.
Meanwhile, I for one will certainly have my fingers crossed with the hope that Motl’s study is a sign that further and larger-scale research into this area is now on its way…
Post by: Megan Barrett
Wow, awesome weblog layout! How lengthy have you ever been blogging for?
you made blogging glance easy. The whole
glance of your web site is fantastic, as neatly as the content!
This page truly has all the information and facts I needed concerning this
subject and didn’t know who to ask.
I am regular visitor, how are you everybody?
This piece of writing posted at this web site is genuinely
nice.
excellent publish, very informative. I wonder why the other experts of this sector don’t understand this.
You should continue your writing. I am sure, you’ve a great readers’ base already!
If you desire to increase your familiarity just keep visiting this site and be updated with
the hottest news posted here.
I was suggested this web site by my cousin. I am now not positive whether or not this submit is
written by means of him as no one else recognize such
certain approximately my problem. You’re incredible!
Thank you!
of course like your web-site but you have to check the spelling on several of your posts.
Many of them are rife with spelling problems and I to find it very
troublesome to inform the truth nevertheless I will surely
come back again.
Wow, that’s what I was searching for, what a data! present
here at this webpage, thanks admin of this web site.
Wonderful blog! Do you have any tips for aspiring writers?
I’m planning to start my own site soon but I’m
a little lost on everything. Would you propose
starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a
paid option? There are so many options out
there that I’m totally overwhelmed .. Any tips?
Appreciate it!
Why viewers still make use of to read news papers when in this technological world everything is accessible on net?
I have read so many content on the topic of the blogger lovers however
this article is genuinely a good post, keep it up.
If some one needs expert view about running a blog then i advise him/her to pay a visit this web site, Keep
up the nice job.
Hmm it appears like your website ate my first comment
(it was extremely long) so I guess I’ll just
sum it up what I wrote and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog.
I as well am an aspiring blog writer but I’m still
new to the whole thing. Do you have any points for novice blog writers?
I’d genuinely appreciate it.
Thanks for the good writeup. It actually was once a leisure account it.
Glance complicated to far introduced agreeable from you!
By the way, how could we keep in touch?
Using the Camcloud software and cloud assistance,
you will be able to see your webcam online,
by a PC, Mac or device. 1-1 coaching with the
support of visual aids like whiteboard and webcam that the student can quickly clear all of their doubts.
Any part of the own entire body can be used to rebound the ball
across the display, and you receive bonus points for hitting special targets scattered round the virtual basketball court.
Points are awarded based on rate and the quantity of your movement that’s captured inside of
the webcam’s view. Detroit Lakes View of Frazee Street and Downtown Detroit
Lakes in the water tower at Detroit Lakes Minnesota.
3. Now, Check out the Live View page. It’s that simple.
You can access even a variant of the page through iPhone or
your Android, or this page from any other internet browser.
When the game asks you to enable the website to get access to your webcam, simply
press the”Allow” button and the game will start.
Currently it seems like Movable Type is the best
blogging platform available right now. (from what I’ve read) Is that what
you are using on your blog?
Fantastic site. Lots of helpful info here.
I am sending it to several friends ans also sharing in delicious.
And certainly, thank you to your effort!
It’s a shame you don’t have a donate button!
I’d definitely donate to this outstanding blog! I guess for now i’ll
settle for book-marking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account.
I look forward to brand new updates and will talk about this site with my
Facebook group. Talk soon!
If some one desires expert view about running a blog afterward i recommend him/her to
pay a visit this weblog, Keep up the good job.
I was curious if you ever thought of changing the structure of
your site? Its very well written; I love what youve
got to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so
people could connect with it better. Youve got
an awful lot of text for only having one or 2 pictures.
Maybe you could space it out better?
It’s a pity you don’t have a donate button! I’d without a doubt donate to this brilliant blog!
I guess for now i’ll settle for book-marking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account.
I look forward to fresh updates and will talk about this website with my Facebook group.
Chat soon!
I’d like to thank you for the efforts you have put in penning this
blog. I am hoping to see the same high-grade content from you in the future as well.
In fact, your creative writing abilities has motivated me to get my own blog now ;
)
Very shortly this web page will be famous amid all blogging and site-building
viewers, due to it’s nice content
Nice weblog right here! Also your website a lot up very fast!
What web host are you using? Can I am getting your associate link in your
host? I want my site loaded up as fast as yours lol
Great article. I’m facing a few of these issues as well..
hello!,I really like your writing very so much!
proportion we keep in touch more about your article on AOL?
I need an expert on this area to resolve my problem. May be that’s you!
Having a look ahead to see you.
wonderful points altogether, you simply received a logo new
reader. What could you recommend about your submit that you just made some days in the
past? Any positive?
We absolutely love your blog and find the majority of your
post’s to be exactly what I’m looking for. Would you offer guest
writers to write content for you personally? I wouldn’t mind creating a
post or elaborating on most of the subjects you write
with regards to here. Again, awesome weblog!
You could certainly see your enthusiasm in the article you write.
The sector hopes for more passionate writers like you who
are not afraid to say how they believe. At all times go after your heart.
Definitely imagine that which you stated. Your favourite reason seemed to be on the net
the easiest thing to have in mind of. I say
to you, I definitely get irked at the same
time as other folks think about concerns that they plainly
don’t realize about. You managed to hit the nail
upon the top and outlined out the entire thing with no need side-effects , other folks can take a signal.
Will probably be back to get more. Thanks
Admiring the hard work you put into your website and detailed information you offer.
It’s awesome to come across a blog every once in a while that
isn’t the same outdated rehashed information. Great read!
I’ve bookmarked your site and I’m adding your RSS feeds to my Google account.
Excellent article. Keep posting such kind of information on your blog.
Im really impressed by your blog.
Hi there, You have performed a fantastic job. I’ll
definitely digg it and in my opinion recommend to my friends.
I am sure they will be benefited from this website.
What’s up, yup this article is genuinely pleasant and I have learned
lot of things from it on the topic of blogging. thanks.
Everything said was very logical. However, think on this, suppose
you were to create a killer title? I am not saying your content is not
solid, but suppose you added a title that makes people desire more?
I mean ‘Working out’ the answer to MS-induced fatigue – The Brain Bank North West is kinda plain. You ought to look at Yahoo’s
front page and watch how they create article titles to grab viewers to open the links.
You might add a related video or a picture or two to
grab people excited about what you’ve got to say. In my opinion, it would make your blog a little bit
more interesting.
A fascinating discussion is definitely worth comment.
I believe that you need to write more about this issue, it may not be a taboo
subject but typically people do not speak about these topics.
To the next! Many thanks!!
This is a good tip particularly to those fresh to the
blogosphere. Simple but very accurate info… Thanks for sharing this one.
A must read article!
That is very attention-grabbing, You are an overly
professional blogger. I have joined your feed and sit up for in the hunt for extra of your great post.
Additionally, I’ve shared your web site in my social networks
Excellent, what a weblog it is! This webpage gives valuable facts to
us, keep it up.
Magnificent goods from you, man. I’ve consider your stuff prior to and you’re
just extremely excellent. I really like what you have
bought right here, really like what you’re saying and the best way during which you are saying it.
You’re making it entertaining and you continue to take care
of to stay it sensible. I can’t wait to learn much more from you.
That is actually a terrific web site.
This paragraph will help the internet viewers for creating
new web site or even a weblog from start to end.
Great post.
What’s up it’s me, I am also visiting this web site regularly, this
web site is truly good and the viewers are in fact sharing pleasant thoughts.
Asking questions are actually pleasant thing if you are
not understanding anything completely, however this paragraph gives good understanding
yet.
It’s enormous that you are getting thoughts from
this piece of writing as well as from our dialogue made
here.
all the time i used to read smaller articles that as well clear their motive, and that is also happening with this post which I am reading at this place.