The effects of home-based resistance exercise on balance, power, and mobility in adults with multiple sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE To examine the effects of an 8-week home-based resistance exercise program on balance, power, and mobility in adults with multiple sclerosis. DESIGN Experimental group design. SETTING General community. PARTICIPANTS Twenty-nine women (age, 50.3+/-8.5 y) and 8 men (age, 51.1+/-7.1 y) were stratified by disability level and age and were randomized into exercise (n=19) and control (n=17) groups. INTERVENTION The exercise group had lower-extremity resistance training 3 times a week. The control group maintained current level of physical activity.Main outcome measures Primary outcome measures included balance, as measured by anteroposterior sway, mediolateral sway, and sway velocity using the AccuSway(PLUS) force platform; mobility as assessed with the Up and Go test; and leg power as assessed with the Leg Extensor Power Rig. RESULTS Leg extensor power improved significantly in the exercise group (pretest, 3.19+/-1.36 W/kg; posttest, 3.95+/-1.23 W/kg; P=.004), although measures of balance and mobility did not change. CONCLUSIONS The home-based resistance program was well tolerated by participants and offered a practical means to improve leg extensor power in a short period of time.