Proximal Resistance Training to Improve Walking Capacity and Physical Activity in People With Multiple Sclerosis: A Feasibility Study

The proposed study will be a prospective cohort in 40 people with MS with one baseline and one follow-up assessment after a 10-week functional resistance training intervention. The screening and outcome assessments will take place in the CU Interdisciplinary Movement Science Lab and intervention will occur in the CU Physical Therapy Program gym. Both facilities have the necessary space and equipment for outcomes assessment and intervention, respectively. The PI will perform the initial screening and deliver the intervention. In order to limit testing bias, all functional tests, patient-reported outcomes, and motion capture data collection will be performed by an experienced research assistant.

Participants will receive 14 one-on-one supervised intervention visits over 10 weeks. Intervention frequency will mimic clinical practice, starting at 2x/ week in clinic (2x/ week independently) for four weeks and tapering to 1x/ week in clinic (3x/ week independently) for the final six weeks. Participants will be prescribed 5 categories of resistance exercises, and each category will have a series of exercises to select from. Two will target hip abduction (lying down and standing), two will target trunk muscles (sidelying/ forward planks, resisted trunk rotation), and one will target functional resistance training for the hip and trunk during walking-related tasks such as multi-directional resisted walking. Dosing will be based on guidelines for MS. Strengthening exercises will begin with 3 sets of 12-15 reps at 15 rep-max load (RM) and progress to 3 sets of 8-10 reps at 10-12 RM. Endurance exercises requiring a static hold will progress from 3 sets of 15-20 second holds to 30-second holds. Functional resistance will be dosed to improve muscular endurance: 3 sets of 15-20 reps based on form fatigue. Progression will be achieved by modifying body position, and/or adding cuff weights or resistance bands. Exercises will take 30-45 minutes to complete. Upper extremity use to maintain balance will be allowed as needed.