Short Sprint Interval Training in People With Multiple Sclerosis

Short Sprint Interval Training as an Effective Exercise Strategy for People With Multiple Sclerosis

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether a short sprint interval training protocol on a cycle ergometer can improve physical function, walking, muscle strength, exercise capacity, fatigue, cognitive processing speed, and patient-reported outcomes in people with multiple sclerosis.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

1. Does short sprint interval training improve walking performance, lower-limb coordination, muscle strength, exercise capacity, fatigue, and cognitive processing speed in people with multiple sclerosis?
2. How do participants respond to short sprint interval training in terms of heart rate, power, cadence, perceived exertion, and affective valence?
3. What adverse events or unintended effects, if any, occur during the intervention?

Researchers will compare short sprint interval training with usual physical activity to see if this exercise program improves physical, cognitive, and patient-reported outcomes.

Participants will:

1. Be randomly assigned to either a short sprint interval training group or a usual physical activity group.
2. Complete assessments before and after the 2-week training period.
3. Continue their usual physical activity if they are assigned to the control group.
4. Complete 6 supervised exercise sessions over 2 weeks if they are assigned to the short sprint interval training group.
5. During each exercise session, perform short 5-second high-intensity cycling sprints on a recumbent cycle ergometer, separated by recovery periods.
6. Complete walking, strength, stepping, calf endurance, fatigue, and cognitive processing speed assessments.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of multiple sclerosis according to the revised McDonald criteria; Expanded Disability Status Scale score 0-3.5.
• Age 18-65 years.
• No multiple sclerosis relapse or exacerbation in the previous month.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Neurological disease other than multiple sclerosis.
• Cognitive impairment preventing completion of tests or questionnaires.
• Neurological, orthopedic, or visual impairments affecting gait.