Aa
Does excersise really matter?
If you are a person extremely fit. Muscular. In great shape.. Vs. a person who's in ok shape.. Not that muscular.. But healthy otherwise.. Don't they both end up the same? Both on dmd therepy, both eating the same. I don't understand what working out is doing with regards to MS , other than the overall health of anyone who works out. Being its a disease of the cns.. Why is excersise in ms stressed if you end up the same? Or don't you?
There are no guarantees in life good or bad. No one can look at your life and say it is all going to be bad.
Alex
Alex
I see.. Yes. An overall benefit .. bur no guarantees . Thx for the article. I'll read it.
Two MS patients can be on the same DMD, one works out, the other doesn't.
Possible outcomes:
A) the patient who doesn't work out declines sooner.
B) the patient who does work out declines sooner.
C) they both decline at more or less the same rate.
All are possible outcomes. There are no guarantees. Exercise may not ultimately prevent a given individual from decline from MS. But if you're physically able, why wouldn't you exercise? It's not all about MS. MS ***** but I bet MS AND cardiovascular disease/ obesity/ diabetes /cancer /osteoporosis /etc etc etc ***** even more and having more than one chronic illness could cause overall decline faster than dealing with just one. Exercise reduces risk of these and many other conditions. No, that does not mean it guarantees you won't get them. It's about risk reduction.
It's also about quality of life. Exercise reduces risk of depression, improves cognitive performance, improves sleep quality, can actually decrease fatigue, improves balance reducing risk of falls, etc. Not using your muscles will cause tissue to atrophy over time. If you were to lose function of, say, your walking ability, wouldn't it be even more important to have a strong upper body to maintain as much independence as you can, as opposed to relying on someone else for your personal care, as one example? Again, I'm talking about those who are still physically capable of exercise.
One could be fatalistic about MS and decide there's no point in exercising because what will be will be. I believe this is erroneous thinking.
Possible outcomes:
A) the patient who doesn't work out declines sooner.
B) the patient who does work out declines sooner.
C) they both decline at more or less the same rate.
All are possible outcomes. There are no guarantees. Exercise may not ultimately prevent a given individual from decline from MS. But if you're physically able, why wouldn't you exercise? It's not all about MS. MS ***** but I bet MS AND cardiovascular disease/ obesity/ diabetes /cancer /osteoporosis /etc etc etc ***** even more and having more than one chronic illness could cause overall decline faster than dealing with just one. Exercise reduces risk of these and many other conditions. No, that does not mean it guarantees you won't get them. It's about risk reduction.
It's also about quality of life. Exercise reduces risk of depression, improves cognitive performance, improves sleep quality, can actually decrease fatigue, improves balance reducing risk of falls, etc. Not using your muscles will cause tissue to atrophy over time. If you were to lose function of, say, your walking ability, wouldn't it be even more important to have a strong upper body to maintain as much independence as you can, as opposed to relying on someone else for your personal care, as one example? Again, I'm talking about those who are still physically capable of exercise.
One could be fatalistic about MS and decide there's no point in exercising because what will be will be. I believe this is erroneous thinking.
You can only do what you can to. All research proves exercise does help MS patients. I have the double whammy of MS and cancer. I am really slow.
I just got back from my hour at the pool. I am the slowest one there. I still go.I urge people to go to a pt and get an individualized program. I do exercises to help my left foot flop. There is chair yoga or exercises. I lift small weights too everyday. Oh and stretches first thing in the morning. I also do horse back riding. I found a local lady who teaches me for a small fee. There is therapy riding. Riding works your core. I like riding because a horse can give me speed again even at a walk. You work your body and it is great for balance. I have also done yoga. It was not for me. You have to find what works for you.
The MS Society in past momentum magazine has talked about the benefits of exercise. Both physically and emotionally. There have been studies on it. I took a "Free from Falls class' from the MS Society. We did a half hour of exercise. There was every ability.
When the nerves get damaged they are damaged. I have known Olympic athletes with MS that could not do what they used to. I no longer run and I walk slower. I had to give up bike riding because of the falls.
I try to keep my weight down. If my right side has to hold up my left side. I have had MS for fifty years, since I was two. I have always been marginally athletic and I think it has helped. I did have a period when I gained weight and could not walk 15 minutes. My back was a mess. Since I started swimming I realize my spasticity is not as bad. I wake up and can barely make it to the bathroom.
My PT said to not do so much you can't walk the next day. That is what. happened when I walked the dogs too long.
Just be careful. Injuries do not do you too much good. I fell with my dog in the Winter. I was on crutches for weeks.
I have had MS for over 50 years since I was 2 and I am still mobile. I think it is slow progression but I think being in good shape has helped me over all.
I do not drink or smoke. I have lived a clean and athletic life but I still got MS in Cancer. On the other hand no one would no I have either. I even surprise health professionals. My cancer is in my lymph system and spleen which is bad but mine is progressing so slowly my oncologist calls me the miracle. My GP is amazed at how healthy I am.
With any disease it might progress fast or it might not. I chose to live like it will progress slowly.
Alex
I just got back from my hour at the pool. I am the slowest one there. I still go.I urge people to go to a pt and get an individualized program. I do exercises to help my left foot flop. There is chair yoga or exercises. I lift small weights too everyday. Oh and stretches first thing in the morning. I also do horse back riding. I found a local lady who teaches me for a small fee. There is therapy riding. Riding works your core. I like riding because a horse can give me speed again even at a walk. You work your body and it is great for balance. I have also done yoga. It was not for me. You have to find what works for you.
The MS Society in past momentum magazine has talked about the benefits of exercise. Both physically and emotionally. There have been studies on it. I took a "Free from Falls class' from the MS Society. We did a half hour of exercise. There was every ability.
When the nerves get damaged they are damaged. I have known Olympic athletes with MS that could not do what they used to. I no longer run and I walk slower. I had to give up bike riding because of the falls.
I try to keep my weight down. If my right side has to hold up my left side. I have had MS for fifty years, since I was two. I have always been marginally athletic and I think it has helped. I did have a period when I gained weight and could not walk 15 minutes. My back was a mess. Since I started swimming I realize my spasticity is not as bad. I wake up and can barely make it to the bathroom.
My PT said to not do so much you can't walk the next day. That is what. happened when I walked the dogs too long.
Just be careful. Injuries do not do you too much good. I fell with my dog in the Winter. I was on crutches for weeks.
I have had MS for over 50 years since I was 2 and I am still mobile. I think it is slow progression but I think being in good shape has helped me over all.
I do not drink or smoke. I have lived a clean and athletic life but I still got MS in Cancer. On the other hand no one would no I have either. I even surprise health professionals. My cancer is in my lymph system and spleen which is bad but mine is progressing so slowly my oncologist calls me the miracle. My GP is amazed at how healthy I am.
With any disease it might progress fast or it might not. I chose to live like it will progress slowly.
Alex
ok. So.. Then the rate to which you decline physically has more to do with excersising /weight training than the relapses themselves? If you have 2 ms ers w/ the same dmd intake but one excersise and one doesn't... The one who doesn't excersise will ultimately reach a faster decline physically ? Even with being on drugs that aim to prevent relapses which can lead to disabilities?
I guess that's what I'm getting at. If the drugs are what really prevent disability by rate of relapsing..then why is excersise so pushed as part of treating ms. I could be " ripped".. But what good is that if my cns is ultimately in control.
I guess that's what I'm getting at. If the drugs are what really prevent disability by rate of relapsing..then why is excersise so pushed as part of treating ms. I could be " ripped".. But what good is that if my cns is ultimately in control.
COMMUNITY LEADER
To be honest i'm not sure where your thought is coming or going......if say two individuals are MS carbon copy duplicates and their 'only' difference is that one is extremely fit and the other has a normal fitness level, and they both don't do any strength and flexibility exercises, physio etc then sure it might not make much of a difference if your just looking at it from an end perspective.
There is definitely a significant and measurable difference, in how long it takes to reach the same disability status between MSers that do relevant exercise and MSers that don't. To do personally tailored specific exercises to maintain your current abilities and or to aid relapse recovery issues, is research backed to prolong mobility and decline in disability status. Which has the add on benefit of longer independence, employment, mental and general health etc etc
Did that sort of answer the question?
Cheers........JJ
There is definitely a significant and measurable difference, in how long it takes to reach the same disability status between MSers that do relevant exercise and MSers that don't. To do personally tailored specific exercises to maintain your current abilities and or to aid relapse recovery issues, is research backed to prolong mobility and decline in disability status. Which has the add on benefit of longer independence, employment, mental and general health etc etc
Did that sort of answer the question?
Cheers........JJ
You ask a great question. I don't really know the answer, and am hoping for some good comments and insights.
Although no one would have mistaken me for a fitness freak, or even someone 'buff,' I was a pretty diligent exerciser for most of my life. I used to walk 2 miles in 30 minutes several times a week, would work out to fitness videos, and had gym memberships a number of times. I actually went, last time out! After several months I was able to use nearly all the machines at a higher rate, did much better on treadmill, etc., but I didn't see my bod getting any more dazzling ;-)
Ultimately though, I had to stop. I had periods of sickness and extreme fatigue, and I was wasting $79/month over and over, so I quit. I don't see much difference now, and my only exercise is walking my dog.
I know that in general a reasonable amount of exercise is very healthful, MS or not. It's very good for joints, muscles, heart, etc. But what if one is just too pooped to pop, to use an ancient expression? That describes me to a T, in more ways than one, as I'm also pretty ancient.. I get worn out every day just dealing with life, so this is just an academic question for me now, maybe permanently.
What says everyone else?
ess
Although no one would have mistaken me for a fitness freak, or even someone 'buff,' I was a pretty diligent exerciser for most of my life. I used to walk 2 miles in 30 minutes several times a week, would work out to fitness videos, and had gym memberships a number of times. I actually went, last time out! After several months I was able to use nearly all the machines at a higher rate, did much better on treadmill, etc., but I didn't see my bod getting any more dazzling ;-)
Ultimately though, I had to stop. I had periods of sickness and extreme fatigue, and I was wasting $79/month over and over, so I quit. I don't see much difference now, and my only exercise is walking my dog.
I know that in general a reasonable amount of exercise is very healthful, MS or not. It's very good for joints, muscles, heart, etc. But what if one is just too pooped to pop, to use an ancient expression? That describes me to a T, in more ways than one, as I'm also pretty ancient.. I get worn out every day just dealing with life, so this is just an academic question for me now, maybe permanently.
What says everyone else?
ess
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