Outcomes of an aquatic exercise program including aerobic capacity, lactate threshold, and fatigue in two individuals with multiple sclerosis.

Full Abstract

BACKGROUND

AND PURPOSE:
Fatigue in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) may be exacerbated by poor cardiovascular fitness. Although aqua aerobic exercise is often recommended, little research has been conducted on the efficacy of aqua aerobic exercise in improving cardiovascular fitness in patients with MS. The purpose of this case report is to describe changes in cardiovascular fitness and fatigue for 2 people with MS following an aqua aerobics class.

CASE DESCRIPTIONS:
The participants were 2 females, both with MS for over 10 years and mild disability. Participant A (40 years old and EDSS = 2.5/10) reported fatigue, numbness in her hands and feet, and occasional blurred vision. Participant B (51 years old and EDSS = 3.0/10) reported the same problems as Participant A plus stiffness in her right lower extremity. The participants performed aqua aerobics at an intensity equivalent to their lactate threshold twice a week for 8 weeks. Lactate threshold is the exercise intensity just prior to the accumulation of blood lactate during graded exercise.

OUTCOMES:
A graded exercise test (with measurements of gas exchange) and a test of fatigue were administered before and after the intervention. Initially, both participants had poor cardiovascular fitness as demonstrated by their low peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak) and low lactate threshold (LT). After the intervention, both participants achieved a higher peak workload (their VO2peak increased) and they could sustain a higher submaximal workload without accumulation of acid substances causing fatigue (their LT increased). Changes in fatigue following the intervention were equivocal with Participant A reporting decreased fatigue and Participant B reporting no change.

SUMMARY:
This report describes the use of exercise testing to guide clinical decision making for dosing of an aqua aerobic fitness intervention and illustrates positive effects of the intervention on cardiovascular fitness in 2 people with MS.

Learn Faster Today Improve your study skills

Author information

Author/s: Pariser, Gina (G); Madras, Diane (D); Weiss, Elizabeth (E);

Affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, USA. gpariser(-atsign-)bellarmine.edu

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Case Reports; Journal Article

Journal: Journal of neurologic physical therapy : JNPT (J Neurol Phys Ther), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2006-Jun; vol 30 (issue 2) : pp 82-90

Dates: Created 2006/06/26; Completed 2006/09/12;

PMID: 16796773, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

External Links for this article (including full text providers, if available):

Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.

This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.

MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adult
Exercise - physiology
Exercise Tolerance - physiology
Fatigue - etiology; prevention & control
Female
Humans

Lactic Acid - blood
Middle Aged
Multiple Sclerosis - metabolism; physiopathology; rehabilitation
Oxygen Consumption - physiology
Swimming - physiology
Treatment Outcome

Associated Chemicals: Lactic Acid (50-21-5)

These are the highest related articles currently in the database:

See 100+ related articles.