Exercise barriers and preferences among women and men with multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Purpose: The primary objective of this study was to estimate the extent to which women and men with MS present different exercise barriers. The secondary objective was to estimate the extent to which women and men with MS present different perceived-health, depressive symptoms, and current exercise routines or preferences. Methods: This was a cross sectional survey. Results: 417 people with MS completed a survey of exercise barriers and current exercise routines, perceived-health and depressive symptoms. The top three exercise barriers were: too tired; impairment; and lack of time, regardless of their gender. Regardless of their gender, three times/week and 60 min/session was identified as the most common current exercise structure among physically active participants. The top three currently preferred exercise by men included walking, strengthening/weights and flexibility/stretch exercise. Women reported the same three exercises but flexibility/stretch exercise were slightly more popular than other exercise. Similarities in perceived health status and depressive symptoms were seen between women and men; expect more men were diagnosed with progressive MS (20% higher) than women, leading to a higher rate of men reporting problems with mobility. Conclusion: Women and men with MS differed very little on exercise barriers and current exercise routines, perceived health and depressive symptoms. Even though MS is generally considered a woman’s disease, this study did not find a strong need to develop gender specific exercise or physical activity interventions for this population.

Implications for Rehabilitation

• Exercise interventions need to be tailored to accommodate individuals’ needs and lifestyles in order to modify or eliminate common barriers – too tired, impairment, and lack of time.

• No strong evidence was found to support the need to develop gender specific exercise interventions, even though MS is generally considered a woman’s disease.

Keywords::

• Barrier
• exercise preference
• gender difference
• multiple sclerosis
• rehabilitation

Acknowledgements

The authors thank all the participants for their time in the study.

Declaration of Interest: We are grateful for the support from the Canadian Institute of Health Research Neuroinflammation Training Award and Richard and Edith Strauss Canada Foundation Fellowship in Rehabilitation Sciences for PhD salary supports (MA), and National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the University of Illinois at Chicago for their support of the preparation of the manuscript (MA).

Appendix 1: Sample Exercise Questions

This is a survey for persons who presently exercise on regular basis. If this is not applicable to you, please contact a research coordinator to receive a correct survey packet.

1. Please select types of exercise that you presently do on a regular basis?

• □ Aerobics class

  	□	Biking
  	□	Walking
  	□	Swimming
  	□	Aquatic fitness class
  	□	Strengthening/weights
  	□	Flexibility and stretching
  	□	Yoga, or tai-chi class
  	□	Other

• On average, how many times per week do you exercise?

• On average, when you exercise, how long do you exercise per session? ______minutes

• What is your most common way of exercising?

  	□	By yourself
  	□	With your friends or family members
  	□	With a trainer or assistant
  	□	In a group

• Where do you exercise most?

  	□	Indoor at home
  	□	Indoor at gym or community center
  	□	Outdoor (neighborhood or nature)

Appendix 2: Sample Exercise Questions

This is a survey for people who presently do not exercise on regular basis but are interested in starting in the near future. If this is not applicable to you, please contact a research coordinator to receive a correct survey.

1. Please select types of exercise that you are in interested in staring in the near future?

   	□	Aerobics class
   	□	Biking
   	□	Walking
   	□	Swimming
   	□	Aquatic fitness class
   	□	Strengthening or weights
   	□	Flexibility and stretching
   	□	Yoga or tai-chi class
   	□	Other (please specify)

2. On average, how many times per week would you like to exercise?

3. On average, when you exercise, how long would you like to exercise per session? ______minutes

4. What is your preferred way of exercising? Please select one response.

   	□	By yourself
   	□	With your friends or family members
   	□	With a trainer or assistant
   		□ In a group

5. Where would you like to do your exercise? Please select one response.

   	□	Indoor at home
   	□	Indoor at gym or community center
   	□	Outdoor (neighborhood or nature)