Subjects With MS Improve Physical Performance, Bone Health, And Lipid Management Following High-intensity Interval Training

PURPOSE: The important role played by physical activity in the quality of life and motor skill management is already established, even in subjects with neuropathological conditions where adequate exercise can help to maintain residual physical abilities. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurodegenerative disease causing demyelination because of an autoimmune system dysfunction with several resulting pathological conditions including motor symptoms and altered bone turnover. Several studies show that exercise has an effect in handling motor and other symptoms, in this condition as well. However, to date, there are unambiguous findings on what characteristics training should have to be most effective in this population. Therefore, The aim of the study was to investigate the possible benefits of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) in physical performance but also on bone and lipid metabolism markers in MS patients. METHODS: From the 130 recruited participants, 16 subjects with MS met the inclusion criteria and were included in the data analysis. Participants were randomized into a Control Group (CG) (34,88 ± 4,45 yrs) and an Exercise group (EG) (36,20 ± 7,80 yrs). Respectively, one performed no exercise and the other performed HIIT protocol. The HIIT training was performed three times a week for 8 weeks. The following assessments were performed at the beginning (T0) and at the end (T1) of the 8 weeks of training: Bioimpedance analysis, coordination skills tests, and bone and lipid markers analysis. RESULTS: After the training period, the wall squat (s) (27.18 ± 4.21; 41.68 ± 5.38, p ≤ 0.01) and Time Up and Go test (s) (7.65 ± 0.43; 6.34 ± 0.38 p ≤ 0.01) performances improved; lipid markers analysis showed an LDL-cholesterol (mg/dl) levels (T0 = 108 ± 21.08; T1 = 95.02 ± 17.99, p < 0.05) reduction; The levels of Osteocalcin (μg/L), marker of bone formation, increased (T0 = 20.88 ± 4.22; T1 = 23.66 ± 6.24, p < 0.05) and the 25-OH Vitamin D (μg/L) improved (T0 = 21.11 ± 7.11; T1 = 27.66 ± 7.59, p < 0.05); CONCLUSIONS: High-intensity interval training had an effect on lower limb strength and gait control, and improved bone formation, and lipid management, in multiple sclerosis patients.