Exercise as it relates to Disease/Strength training for individuals living with multiple sclerosis

→ What is MS? Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a neurodegenerative disorder of the central nervous system (CNS) caused by immune system imbalance. The principal consequence of this imbalance is damage and/or destruction to the myelin sheath, the protective coating that insulates nerve axons throughout the body. This causes axon damage, and leads to disruption and loss of electrical signalling within certain areas of the CNS. These physiological changes are illustrated by the range of physical symptoms common to those diagnosed with the disorder.

→ Prevalence and risk factors associated. There are three principle forms of the disease; relapsing-remitting (most common; 85% of cases), primary progressive and secondary progressive.. While relapsing-remitting is characterised by attacks of symptoms (‘relapses’) then a period of remission, the progressive forms are characterized by a gradual worsening of symptoms. An estimated 2.5 million individuals suffer from the disease worldwide and is up to 3 times more common in females than males. Range of research has focused on discovering the risk factors or cause of the disease. Some of the main factors include genetic predisposition, vitamin D levels…No known cure.

→ Common symptoms include -	Loss of muscle strength and tone, -	Loss of balance and coordination -	Decreased functional ability -	Decrease in energy levels -	Sensory disturbance (often heightened) -	Loss of motivation to be involved in social interaction -	Decrease in general quality of life

Other symptoms include -	Visual impairment -	Tremors -	Sexual dysfunction (Hewer et al., 2013).

Eventually leads to an accumulation of irreversible neurological deficits.