Elastic Band Training for Multiple Sclerosis Patients: a Pilot Study

Abstract

This study examined the effects of six weeks strength training with elastic bands on different measures of strength manifestations, fatigue and functionality of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. [Subjects] Sixteen MS patients (average age 44 years; range 33-56) with a diagnosis confirmed by a neurologist volunteered as subjects. They had mild to moderate disability and participated three times a week in a six-week elastic band strength training program. [Methods] Elastic band training progression was based on training volume using elastic bands of resistance of approximately 40% of a patient's previously measured maximal voluntary contraction. Outcome assessments included: maximal voluntary contraction with surface electromyography of the right and left legs, average and peak power with different submaximal loads of each leg, fatigue perception and functionality by the Timed Up-and-Go test. [Results] After the six-week strength training with elastic bands, average power with low load (98 N), peak power with very low load (49 N) and functionality had improved significantly. [Conclusion] A short and light training program using elastic bands can improve muscle function without injury and can be a good therapy for improving functionality of multiple sclerosis patients.

Benefits of Static Stretching, Pliates® and Elastic Bands Resistance Training on Patients with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis: A Longitudinal Study

“…This means that, after this kind of training, patients become stronger and more powerful on the one hand and more able to manage their balance on the other. These outcomes corroborate those of a previous study [39], which showed that a very short circuit training program with elastic bands designed for MS patients generates modest improvements in power, an increase in functional capacity and a reduction of their perception of fatigue. Additionally, 6 weeks of isokinetic strength training are sufficient to increase maximum strength and reduce the levels of fatigue in the ankle dorsiflexors of MS patients [40], which showed that a very short circuit training program with elastic bands designed for MS patients generates modest improvements in power, an increase in functional capacity and a reduction of their perception of fatigue.…”

Evaluation of resistance training program patients with multiple sclerosis

“…Estudios como los de Fimland et al (2010), Medina-Pérez et al (2014) o Pérez et al (2007) observaron diferencias significativas en la fuerza muscular de sus participantes, utilizando otros programas de entrenamiento diferentes a los de este estudio, como bandas elásticas o trabajo isométrico. Aunque todos los estudios están desarrollados en un periodo de entre 6 y 12 semanas de entrenamiento, no todos obtienen resultados satisfactorios en la medición de la fuerza como es en el caso de dos estudios (De Souza-Teixeira et al, 2011;Sabapathy et al, 2011) en el que no se encontró diferencias significativas en la fuerza muscular, pero si en la funcionalidad de los participantes.…”

“…Algunas de las limitaciones relacionadas con el estudio pueden ser que el tamaño de la muestra es pequeño; que existen una gran variedad de entrenamientos que han sido aplicados a este tipo de población, pero ningún entrenamiento ha sido estandarizado, si bien actualmente aquellas metodologías encaminadas a mejorar la producción de fuerza parecen mostrar los mejores resultados para reducir el deterioro de la contracción muscular provocado por la enfermedad (Dalgas et al, 2013;Kjølhede et al, 2012); y sobre todo el no tener un grupo control. No obstante, si se tiene en cuenta la revisión bibliográfica realizada sobre el tema, muchos de los estudios no utilizan grupo control (De Souza-Teixeira et al, 2011;Gutiérrez et al, 2005;Pérez et al, 2007;Sabapathy, Minahan, Turner, & Broadley, 2011;;) y los estudios que sí lo utilizan muestran un mantenimiento de las variables valoradas en el mismo al no realizar ningún tipo de intervención por las características de la enfermedad (Dalgas et al, 2010;Fimland, Helgerud, Gruber, Leivseth, & Hoff, 2010;Medina-Pérez, De Souza-Teixeira, Fernandez-Gonzalo, & de Paz-Fernández, 2014).…”