The effects of home-based resistance exercise on balance, power, and mobility in adults with multiple sclerosis

Objective: To examine the effects of an 8-week home-based resistance exercise program on balance, power, and mobility in adults with multiple sclerosis. Design: Experimental group design. Setting: General community. Participants: Twenty-nine women (age, 50.3+/-8.5y) and 8 men (age, 51.1+/-1.7.1y) were stratified by disability level and age and were randomized into exercise (n=19) and control (n = 17) groups. Intervention: The exercise group had lower-extremity resistance training 3 times a week. The control group maintained current level of physical activity. Main Outcome Measures: Primary outcome measures included balance, as measured by anteroposterior sway, mediolateral sway, and sway velocity using the AccuSway(PLUS) force platform; mobility as assessed with the Up and Go test; and leg power as assessed with the Leg Extensor Power Rig. Results: Leg extensor power improved significantly in the exercise group (pretest, 3.19+/-1.36W/kg; posttest, 3.95+/-1.23W/kg; P=.004), although measures of balance and mobility did not change. Conclusions: The home-based resistance program was well tolerated by participants and offered a practical means to improve leg extensor power in a short period of time.