Research Article
Physical Activity in Finnish Persons with Multiple Sclerosis
| Anders Romberg1*, Juhani Ruutiainen1and Martin Daumer2,3 | |
| 1Masku Neurological Rehabilitation Centre, Vaihemäentie 10, PO Box 15, 21251 Masku, Finland | |
| 2Trium Analysis Online, Hohenlindener Str. 1, 81677, Munich, Germany | |
| 3Sylvia Lawry Centre for Multiple Sclerosis Research–The Human Motion Institute, Hohenlindener Str. 1, 81677, Munich, Germany | |
| Corresponding Author : | Anders Romberg Masku Neurological Rehabilitation Centre Vaihemäentie 10, PO Box 15 21251 Masku, Finland E-mail: anders.romberg@ms-liitto.fi |
| Received April 02, 2013; Accepted May 29, 2013; Published June 01, 2013 | |
| Citation: Romberg A, Ruutiainen J, Daumer M (2013) Physical Activity in Finnish Persons with Multiple Sclerosis. J Nov Physiother 3:150. doi:10.4172/2165-7025.1000150 | |
| Copyright: © 2013 Romberg A, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. | |
Abstract
Background: Given the long-term progressive nature of multiple sclerosis (MS), it is associated with reduced physical activity. The use of different measurement methods may, however, yield differing results on actual physical activity levels in persons with the disease. The purpose of this study was to examine free-living physical activity in persons with mild and moderate MS and to compare it with that of sedentary healthy control persons.
Materials and methods: The study applied a cross-sectional design. Ambulatory (Expanded Disability Status Scale scores between 0 and 5.5) persons with MS (n=22) and sex- and age-matched, mostly sedentary, healthy control subjects (n=20) took part in the study. Physical activity was measured with an accelerometer and a pedometer during the waking hours of a 7-day period. After the period the participants completed a 7-day recall physical activity questionnaire.
Results: Physical activity was reduced in persons with MS as compared to the healthy only as assessed by a pedometer (P=0.01), but not by an accelerometer (P=0.90) or a questionnaire (P=0.63).
Conclusions: Levels of habitual physical activity in MS vary depending on the measure used. Compared to mostly inactive healthy subjects, ambulatory persons with MS may be equally physically active.
