The Effect of Combined Exercises on Neural Drive and Muscle Strength in Females with ‎Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease of the central nervous system which leads to myelin destruction and dysfunction in nerve conduction. Reducing nervous stimulation and decreased muscle strength are debilitating symptoms and complications of the disease. Practicing therapy is a very important therapeutic approach to reduce the symptoms of the disease, to reduce the level of disability and to improve the independence of MS patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of eight weeks of combined exercises on neural drive, strength of women with MS.

Twenty female MS patients were selected and randomly assigned in to the experimental group (mean ± SD; age 38.7 ± 7.24 years, height 1.56 ± 5.84 cm and weight 46.1 ± 9.87 kg) and control group (mean ± SD; age 40.1 ± 5.64 years, height 1.58 ± 6.04 cm, and weight 55.5 ± 11 kg). The combined exercise program (flexibility, strength, balance, central stability, agility and plyometric) was performed for 8 weeks, 3 times per week, 45 min per session for the experimental group. In order to investigate the neural drive of the rectus femoris muscle, vastus lateralis muscle and semitendinosus muscle (Electromyography), muscular strength of quadriceps and hamstring muscles (Biodex). Data were analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA test (p<0.05).

Eight weeks, combined exercise significantly improved in the neural drive of the rectus femoris muscle (p<0.05), vastus lateralis muscle (p<0.05) and semitendinosus muscle (p<0.05). Also, the exercise protocol significantly improved the strength of quadriceps muscles (p<0.05) and knee hamstrings of patients (p<0.05) with MS (p<0.05).

According to the present study, combined exercises can be used to improve the symptoms of muscle weakness and increase nervous excitability in people with MS. It could be recommended as a modality for this patient.