Introduction: Multiple sclerosis is a demyelinating and neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system, the cause of which is not yet known. As the disease progresses, a number of symptoms may occur, including muscle weakness and general fatigue. Resistance training has been shown to have a number of positive effects in eliminating the symptoms of multiple sclerosis. Resistance training improves muscle performance, reduces fatigue and improves the quality of life. Purpose: The aim of this paper was to determine the effects of resistance training on muscle performance and fatigue in patients with multiple sclerosis. Methods: In the paper, a descriptive method with a literature review is used. We searched the literature in the PubMed database, with a timeframe from 2015 to 2024 and using the following keywords: resistance training, strength training and multiple sclerosis. Studies with a rating of 5 to 8 on the PEDro scale were included in the review. Results: Six randomized controlled trials that met all inclusion criteria were included in the analysis. The training sessions lasted between 8 and 15 weeks, once to a maximum of three times a week. In most studies, fatigue was measured using a fatigue severity scale, and muscle performance was measured using dynamometers and various fitness machines. One study compared the reduction in fatigue between the experimental and control groups, three studies compared the reduction in fatigue and the improvement in muscle performance, and two studies compared only the improvement in muscle performance between the two groups. A statistically significant reduction in fatigue was determined in two studies. A statistically significant improvement in muscle performance was determined in four of the six studies. In one of the studies, there were no statistically significant changes in terms of reduction in fatigue or increase in muscle performance. Discussion and conclusion: Research have shown that resistance training has a number of positive effects on the resolution of symptoms of multiple sclerosis. Exercise can reduce overall perceived fatigue and increase muscle performance, thereby improving the quality of life. Future research should also focus more on long-term effects of resistance training. Exercise interventions should be carried out over a longer period of time, and at the same time it would be sensible to include a larger number of test subjects in the research.
|