Effect of concurrent endurance and resistance training on motor function in men with multiple sclerosis

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of eight weeks combined training on balance in men with multiple sclerosis (MS). Twenty men with MS with mean age of 34.45±3.75 yrs, mean Expanded Disability Status Scale 2.95±1.54, mean weight 71.95±7.45 Kg and mean body mass index 24.78±2.01 Kg/m2, were randomly divided to subgroup, experimental (n=10) and control (n=10) groups. Research method has been two types of group with two steps of pre-test and post-test. The experimental group, beside consuming the prescribed drugs, participated in eight weeks combined training (include warming for 20 minutes, aerobic training for 15 minutes with 50-70% maximum heart rate strength exercises with upper and lower extremities for 15 minutes with 50-70% 1RM and recovery for 10 minutes) 3 times a week for 60 minutes, while control group only consumed prescribed drugs. The data were analyzed with SPSS16 software and Factorial ANOVA significant with level at (P<0.05). The result of this study showed that combined training on stair climbing test in experimental group were significantly increased (P<0.05). But improvement in timed 10-meters walk test and timed up and go test in experimental group with MS did not significantly decreased (P>0.05). However, the result suggests that combined training program can improve motor function in men with multiple sclerosis.