The role of physical fi tness and exercise therapy on disease progression in people with mult iple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, progressi ve disease of the central nervous system, characterized by neuroinfla mmation and neurodegeneration. It manifests through a wide range of s ymptoms, including motor impairments, fatigue, cognitive decline, and reduced physical functioning, significantly impacting societal parti cipation and quality of life. While disease-modifying therapies have advanced, pharmacological options specifically targeting neurodegener ation and disease progression remain limited. Exercise therapy and ph ysical activity have emerged as promising non-pharmacological approac hes for managing MS. Research suggests that exercise can enhance phys ical fitness, improve daily functioning, and potentially slow neurode generation. This thesis explores the role of physical fitness and exe rcise therapy in MS progression. Chapters 2 to 4 investigate how phys ical fitness influences walking, societal participation, and neurodeg eneration. Chapters 5 to 8 outline the Exercise PRO-MS study protocol and examine the effects of exercise therapy on neurodegeneration and cardiovascular risk factors. Finally, the thesis synthesizes key fin dings, discusses methodological considerations, and offers recommenda tions for clinical practice and future research. While short-term res istance training improves muscle strength, its impact on neurodegener ation and cardiovascular health remains uncertain, highlighting the n eed for long-term, patient-tailored exercise programs.
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DESCRIPTION: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, progressive disease of the central nervous system, characterized by neuroinflammation an d neurodegeneration. It manifests through a wide range of symptoms, i ncluding motor impairments, fatigue, cognitive decline, and reduced p hysical functioning, significantly impacting societal participation a nd quality of life. While disease-modifying therapies have advanced, pharmacological options specifically targeting neurodegeneration and disease progression remain limited. Exercise therapy and physical act ivity have emerged as promising non-pharmacological approaches for ma naging MS. Research suggests that exercise can enhance physical fitne ss, improve daily functioning, and potentially slow neurodegeneration . This thesis explores the role of physical fitness and exercise ther apy in MS progression. Chapters 2 to 4 investigate how physical fitne ss influences walking, societal participation, and neurodegeneration. Chapters 5 to 8 outline the Exercise PRO-MS study protocol and exami ne the effects of exercise therapy on neurodegeneration and cardiovas cular risk factors. Finally, the thesis synthesizes key findings, dis cusses methodological considerations, and offers recommendations for clinical practice and future research. While short-term resistance tr aining improves muscle strength, its impact on neurodegeneration and cardiovascular health remains uncertain, highlighting the need for lo ng-term, patient-tailored exercise programs. More information on the The role of physical fitness and exercise therapy on d isease progression in people with multiple sclerosis END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR