The Effect of A 12-Week Resistance and Endurance Training on The Serum Levels BDNF, Hematological Factors and Some Immune System Indices in Women With Multiple Sclerosis

Background and Considering the positive effects of exercise in multiple sclerosis patients and the effect on the elements and components of the immune system and the lack of information in the field of combined training, The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of 12-week resistance and endurance training program on the serum levels BDNF, hematological factors and some immune system indices in women with multiple sclerosis Twenty four 20-to-50-year-old women with multiple sclerosis and a disability level of 2-5 as measured by EDSS (Expanded Disability Status Scale) were randomly assigned to two groups of control (12 patients) and experimental (12 patients). The participants received exercise training three sessions a week for 12 weeks (two sessions of aerobic training and one session of resistance training). The results showed a significant increase in Lymphocytes (p=0.0001), Monocytes (p=0.0001) and Neutrophils (p=0.003) in the experimental group but there was no significant change in the number of platelets (p = 0.19), red blood cells (p=0.34), hematocrit (p=0.08) and BDNF (p=0.10). Also no significant changes was observed in the control group. The combined exercise training, including aerobic and resistance training, in three non-consecutive days per week is helpful for women with MS. However, it seems that a more intensive exercise training is more effective.