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ORIGINAL RESEARCH article

Front. Neurol.
Sec. Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology
Volume 15 - 2024 | doi: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1428712

Individualized activity recommendation based on a physical fitness assessment increases short-and long-term regular physical activity in people with multiple sclerosis in a retrospective cohort study

Provisionally accepted
  • University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    Background: Despite the evidence of beneficial effects of physical activity (PA), people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) are less physically active than the general population. To increase PA in pwMS, we developed a structured individually tailored PA promotion program which is conducted within clinical practice in a university-based outpatient clinic since 2016. This study serves as retrospective quality control of this program. Objective: In a retrospective cohort study, we assessed the physical fitness of pwMS and the impact of the program on short- and long-term PA changes and behavioral determinants. Methods: The program consisted of four appointments each two to four weeks apart. Spiroergometric test results of female pwMS were compared to female non-MS controls who underwent a voluntary physical fitness analysis. The short version of the Freiburger questionnaire, self-developed questions and the modified Physical activity screening questionnaire (PASQ) were sent to all participants assessing the PA levels before the program, three months after the program (short-term), and at the time of the survey (long-term). Additionally, established questionnaires assessed behavioral determinants before the program and long-term. Results:166 participants (mean age 38,32(± 10,61 SD),mean EDSS 2.30(±1.29 SD) and mostly females(63,3%, n=105) were included in the study and started the program.136 participants completed the program. Out of these 52.4%(n = 87) answered the questionnaires in 12.38(±11.34 SD)months after finishing the program. At baseline female pwMS (n=100) showed a lower physical fitness in comparison to non-MS controls (n=26) (maximal workload (Watts):138.86±37.85 vs. 191.73±45.25, p < 0.001; peak oxygen consumption (ml min–1 kg–1):26.40±7.23 vs. 31.56±10.10, p = 0.020).pwMS were more regularly active in short-(62.1%)and long-term(55.2%) compared to baseline(24.2%, p < 0.001).Among the activated participants, we observed improved internal motivation(p = 0.002)and decreased perception of barriers(p = 0.006) compared to baseline. Conclusion: PwMS showed a lower physical fitness in comparison to non-MS controls. An individually tailored PA promotion program might improve behavioral determinants and thereby increase short- and long-term PA levels of pwMS.

    Keywords: Multiple Sclerosis, physical activity, Training plan, Physical fitness assessment, physical activity promotion program

    Received: 06 May 2024; Accepted: 14 Aug 2024.

    Copyright: © 2024 van der Ven, Patra, Riemann-Lorenz, Kauschke, Freese- Schwarz, Welsch, Krause, Heesen and Rosenkranz. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence: Eva van der Ven, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany

    Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.