Multiple Sclerosis

MS is a autoimmune disease that causing the bodies immune system to attack the central nervous system. It affects 23,000 Australians with the average age of onset being 30 years old. The most common symptoms of MS are sensory and motor changes, including muscle weakness, fatigue, spasticity and balance issues. Symptoms of MS can reduce a person’s function and effects their ability to carrying out activities of daily living.

How exercise can help

Exercise is used as medicine in the management of MS with multiple systematic reviews indicating the following key outcomes of engaging in a structured exercise program:

• Improvements in aerobic capacity and muscular strength lead to improvements in fatigue, mobility and overall quality of life
• Improvements in gait, mood, disease progression, functional capacity, falls risk and immuno-modulation.
• Benefits to brain health were noted with an increase in BDNF, a key protein that assists in neurological protection, neuroplasticity and neuroregeneration.