Benefits of self-paced concurrent training on lung function, cardiopulmonary fitness and fatigue perception in patients with multiple sclerosis

<b>Aim:</b> Studying the effects of self-paced concurrent high-intensity interval training and resistance training (HIIT-RT) on respiratory function, cardiopulmonary fitness and fatigue perception in patients with multiple sclerosis (PwMS).<b>Methods:</b> Twenty-three PwMS were randomized into a 12-week training group (three times per week) (TG, n = 11) or a control group (CG, n = 12). Lung function (spirometry), aerobic capacity (graded cardiopulmonary-exercise-testing) and perceived fatigue (Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS)) were evaluated pre- and post-intervention.<b>Results:</b> The forced vital capacity (<i>p</i> = 0.036, Hedges'g (g) = 0.93), forced expiratory time (<i>p</i> = 0.045, g = 0.88), peak expiratory flow (<i>p</i> = 0.043, g = 0.89) increased in TG compared with CG. The TG showed an increase in peak aerobic power (<i>p</i> = 0.004, g = 1.34) and peak oxygen uptake (<i>p</i> < 0.001, g = 2.58) compared with CG. There was a decrease in ventilatory equivalent for carbon dioxide (<i>p</i> = 0.02, g = 1.02) and FSS scores (<i>p</i> < 0.001, g = 1.72) in TG comparatively with CG.<b>Conclusion:</b> 12-week self-paced HIIT-RT enhanced lung function as well as aerobic fitness, and alleviated fatigue perception in PwMS.