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Enhanced neural drive after maximal strength training in multiple sclerosis patients

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Abstract

Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients suffer from impaired muscle activation and lower limb strength. Strength training enhances muscle activation and muscle strength, but neural adaptations to strength training remain unexplored in MS patients. The hypothesis was that maximal strength training (MST) using high loads and few repetitions would improve central neural drive and thus strength capacity of MS patients. 14 MS patients staying at a national MS rehabilitation center were randomly assigned to a MST group or a control group (CG). Both groups received “today’s treatment”. In addition, the MST group trained 4 × 4 repetitions of unilateral dynamic leg press and plantar flexion 5 days a week for 3 weeks. Neural adaptations of the soleus muscle were assessed by surface electromyography (EMG) activity, and by superimposed H-reflexes and V-waves obtained during maximum voluntary isometric plantar flexor contractions (MVCs). H-reflexes and V-waves were normalized by the M-wave (H SUP/M SUP, V/M SUP, respectively). In the MST group, MVC increased by 20 ± 9% (P < 0.05). Soleus EMG activity and V/M SUP ratio increased by 40 and 55%, respectively, in the MST group compared to the CG (P ≤ 0.05). The H SUP/M SUP ratio remained unchanged. No change was apparent in the CG. MST group subjects were able to complete all training sessions. No adverse effects were reported. This randomized study provides evidence that MST is effective of augmenting the magnitude of efferent motor output of spinal motor neurons in MS patients, alleviating some neuromuscular symptoms linked to the disease.

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Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge the patients and staff at the MS centre in Hakadal for their effort. We also thank Karen Schei and Kirsti Stokkan for valuable help during the training of the patients.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7489, Trondheim, Norway

    Marius S. Fimland, Jan Helgerud & Jan Hoff

  2. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, St. Olav’s University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway

    Gunnar Leivseth & Jan Hoff

  3. Department of Training and Movement Science, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany

    Markus Gruber

  4. Rauland Rehabilitation Centre, Rauland, Norway

    Gunnar Leivseth

  5. Hokksund Medical Rehabilitation Center, Hokksund, Norway

    Jan Helgerud

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  1. Marius S. Fimland
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Correspondence to Marius S. Fimland.

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Communicated by Arnold de Haan.

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Fimland, M.S., Helgerud, J., Gruber, M. et al. Enhanced neural drive after maximal strength training in multiple sclerosis patients. Eur J Appl Physiol 110, 435–443 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-010-1519-2

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