Impact of high-intensity concurrent training on cardiovascular risk factors in persons with multiple sclerosis – pilot study

Abstract

Purpose: High-intensity concurrent training positively affects cardiovascular risk factors. Because this was never investigated in multiple sclerosis, the present pilot study explored the impact of this training on cardiovascular risk factors in this population.

Methods: Before and after 12 weeks of high-intense concurrent training (interval and strength training, 5 sessions per 2 weeks, n = 16) body composition, resting blood pressure and heart rate, 2-h oral glucose tolerance (insulin sensitivity, glycosylated hemoglobin, blood glucose and insulin concentrations), blood lipids (high- and low-density lipoprotein, total cholesterol, triglyceride levels) and C-reactive protein were analyzed.

Results: Twelve weeks of high-intense concurrent training significantly improved resting heart rate (−6%), 2-h blood glucose concentrations (−13%) and insulin sensitivity (−24%). Blood pressure, body composition, blood lipids and C-reactive protein did not seem to be affected.

Conclusions: Under the conditions of this pilot study, 12 weeks of concurrent high-intense interval and strength training improved resting heart rate, 2-h glucose and insulin sensitivity in multiple sclerosis but did not affect blood C-reactive protein levels, blood pressure, body composition and blood lipid profiles. Further, larger and controlled research investigating the effects of high-intense concurrent training on cardiovascular risk factors in multiple sclerosis is warranted.

Implications for rehabilitation

• High-intensity concurrent training improves cardiovascular fitness.

• This pilot study explores the impact of this training on cardiovascular risk factors in multiple sclerosis.

• Despite the lack of a control group, high-intense concurrent training does not seem to improve cardiovascular risk factors in multiple sclerosis.

Keywords:

• Multiple sclerosis
• cardiovascular diseases
• HICT exercise
• rehabilitation

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest.