Pumping up the Fight against Multiple Sclerosis: The Effects of High-Intensity Resistance Training on Functional Capacity, Muscle Mass, and Axonal Damage

Abstract

Background: Resistance training (RT) has been recognized as a beneficial non-pharmacological intervention for multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, but its impact on neurodegeneration is not fully understood. This study aimed to investigate the effects of high-intensity RT on muscle mass, strength, functional capacity, and axonal damage in MS patients. Methods: Eleven relapsing–remitting MS patients volunteered in this within-subject counterbalanced intervention study. Serum neurofilament light-chain (NfL) concentration, vastus lateralis thickness (VL), timed up-and-go test (TUG), sit-to-stand test (60STS), and maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) were measured before and after intervention. Participants performed 18 sessions of high-intensity RT (70–80% 1-RM) over 6 weeks. Results: Significant (p p = 0.029). Conclusions: A 6-week RT program significantly increased muscle mass, functional capacity, and neuromuscular function while also decreasing serum NfL in MS patients. These results suggest the effectiveness of RT as a non-pharmacological approach to mitigate neurodegeneration while improving functional capacity in MS patients.

Keywords

• neurofilaments
• neurodegeneration
• exercise
• strength
• hypertrophy
• physical function