Periodized Rehabilitation and Beta-alanine Supplementation in Multiple Sclerosis
Periodized Rehabilitation and Beta-alanine Supplementation in Multiple Sclerosis
Exercise therapy and increased physical activity in persons with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) improves mobility, muscular strength, physical fitness and fatigue without increasing relapse rate. As such, physical activity and more particular exercise therapy have become an important part of MS rehabilitation. Despite the fact that the positive effects of exercise therapy in MS are obvious only 43 percent of the MS community reports to participate in an exercise program4. Therefore, new exercise therapy approaches that further optimize rehabilitation, improve exercise adherence and promote participation in physical exercise in MS are interesting to explore. Therefore, the randomized controlled trial investigates two types of exercise interventions (classic progressive vs periodized) with or without the addition of ergogenic supplements (beta-alanine vs placebo).
Following inclusion, baseline measurements (PRE) will be performed in MS patients (n=80). First, static(isometric) muscle strength (dynamometry), exercise capacity (maximal graded exercise test) and body composition (DEXA) will be evaluated. After 4 days of recovery, m. vastus lateralis muscle samples (Bergström procedure) will be taken. Hereafter, MS patients will be randomly allocated to one of four intervention groups following either 12 weeks of 'classical' moderate intensity cardiovascular exercise therapy (n=40) or periodized exercise therapy (n=40), with (MSβclassic, n=20; MSβperiod, n=20) or without (MSclassic, n=20; MSperiod, n=20) β-alanine supplementation. Groups not receiving β-alanine supplements, will receive placebo tablets that will be identical in taste and appearance. To evaluate post training fatigue, perceived exertion will be recorded following each training session (6-20 BORG scale). Following 12 weeks of classic or periodized training POST intervention measurements will be performed similar to baseline.
Inclusion criteria:
Exclusion criteria: