Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic progressive disease of the central nervous system
(CNS) affecting >2.5 million people worldwide. Damage to neurons in the CNS causes
various sensorimotor and cognitive symptoms, such as fatigue, pain, spasticity, memory
deficits, and impairment of mobility. Until the late 1990s, it was believed that symptoms
of MS would be worsened with physical exertion and people with MS were encouraged
to limit physical activity and exertion. Not only has emerging evidence suggested
that physical activity, including exercise, is safe for people with MS, there is also
evidence that at least some of the disability that occurs after MS is due to secondary
deconditioning from the sedentary lifestyle adopted because of the symptoms of MS,
not just CNS damage alone. Therefore, not only is physical activity safe, it is also
required for maintaining function and health in people with MS. The purpose of this
article is to review the unique physical and social barriers to physical activity
in people with MS, including those with moderate to severe disability who use a wheelchair
or scooter for mobility. We will discuss how existing guidelines for physical activity
may not meet the needs of people with MS and present evidence-based considerations
for promoting physical activity in people with MS. Ultimately, the goal is to overcome
the barriers to physical activity and improve health, participation, and quality of
life in people with MS.
Keywords
List of abbreviations:
MS (multiple sclerosis)To read this article in full you will need to make a payment
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: May 19, 2016
Footnotes
Publication of this article was supported by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine.
Disclosures: none.
Identification
Copyright
© 2016 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine
