Multiple Sclerosis and Exercise - Watch WebMD Video

Skip to content

Other search tools:Symptoms|Doctors|Medical Dictionary

Find us on:

WebMD Home

Brain & Nervous System Health Center

Multiple Sclerosis Health Center

Videos A-Z

WebMD video

Channel: Multiple Sclerosis

Now Playing: Multiple Sclerosis and Exercise

Close

Multiple Sclerosis and Exercise

Reviewed By: Louise Chang,

SOURCES: Medical Reference from Medstar Television. www.medstar.com Multiple Sclerosis Association of America. Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

© 1999-2011 Medstar Television

For a better viewing experience you may wish to adjust the size and quality of your video stream:

High
Medium
Low

Apply

||

00:00/00:00

mute

CC light band

about this video send to a friend

rate this video

Narrator:

Fifty-one-year-old Sharon McDow (mc-DOWEL) recently found out the weakness, fatigue and balance troubles she was suffering are signs of multiple sclerosis.

Sharon McDow, Patient:

I was watching my body go downhill and I couldn't stop it. And I, and I didn't know what to do.

Narrator:

Now hitting the gym is helping her. In the first study of its kind, researchers at the University of Florida asked M-S patients to try weight training using regular gym equipment.

Lesley White, PhD, Exercise Physiologist, University of Florida:

We designed an exercise study that was fairly gentle, specifically focused on the legs to see if eight weeks of training twice a week for about a half an hour would increase their leg strength.

Narrator:

Previous research with aerobic exercise showed promise, but researchers didn't know what to expect from pumping iron.

Lesley White, PhD, Exercise Physiologist, University of Florida:

Whether or not that might translate into a better walking performance, and how that might affect their perception of fatigue and their perception of disability.

Narrator:

The exercises focused on building leg, back and core strength.

Lesley White, PhD, Exercise Physiologist, University of Florida:

We found a significant increase in leg strength. We also found that they were able to do a stepping test, and they were able to increase their stepping speed, or rate of stepping.

Narrator:

Be sure to check with your doctor before trying any type of exercise. M-S is an unpredictable disease and strength training may not be right for everyone.

Sharon McDow, Patient:

My walking is better, I don't get quite as tired as fast, going up and down steps, is better.

Narrator:

Beyond getting stronger, Sharon's regular workouts gave her more confidence.

Sharon McDow, Patient:

I don't feel like I'm at the bottom of a hole anymore.

Narrator:

She can't stop the disease, but by living stronger, she's determined to slow it down. For WebMD, I'm Sandee LaMotte.

My Playlist: (empty)

1 - 3 of

Related Articles

Free MS Newsletter

Sign Up

Search Videos

Managing Your MS?

Take the MS Health Check to find out.

Browse by Topic Most Viewed Explore More Videos Search Results

WebMD’s Weekly Top Viewed Videos

Back Pain Test

Exercise for Better Sex

Vinegar for Diabetes

Drink Your Way To Weight Loss

Pre-Diabetes

Gallbladder Basics

Weight Loss Secret Weapon

IBS Trigger Foods

Does Porn Hurt a Relationship?

Male Orgasms: How They Change

Cholesterol-Busting Exercise

What's Your Sleep Personality?

Herpes Vaccine Study

Truth about Passing Gas

Are You Using a Condom Correctly?

Snoring Cure

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Diarrhea Causes and Treatments

Acupuncture for Back Pain

Common Constipation Treatments

Dirty Truth About Hand Washing

4-D Ultrasound

ED Exercise

Sex Advice for Single Women

Cholesterol Guidelines

Diagnosing Yeast Infections

Truth About Coffee

Healing Heel Pain

Snacks for Diabetics

Best Butt Exercises

Pregnancy and Vitamin D

Best Back Exercises

Minority Skin Problems

Love Scents

Vaporizing the Signs of HPV

Soy for High Blood Pressure

What is Fecal Incontinence?

Sudden Neck Pain

Identifying Early Knee Osteoarthritis

Cardio or Weights?

Stress and Digestive Problems

What is IBS?

When Dizzy Equals Danger

What Is Normal Vaginal Discharge?

Prepare Your Body for Pregnancy

Battling Bladder Infections

Diagnosing Back Pain

Foods That Trigger Migraines

Truth About Shampoo and Conditioner

Vitamin D Deficiency

1 - 10 of 50

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Featured Videos

Staff Picks

Explore More Videos

Ask the Pharmacist

Allergy TV

How to Prepare Veggies

Pets Community TV

Ask the Dentist

America Asks WebMD

Healthy Skin TV

Ask the Dermatologist

Healthy Aging TV

Rheumatoid Arthritis TV

1 - 10 of 10

Search Results for: "search term" ( videos found)

Search Videos

To perform a video search, please enter a term in the search box located to the right of the video player above.

of

Transcript Print this transcript

Not Available.

Health Solutions From Our Sponsors

In-depth coverage:

Is Your Psoriasis Treatment on Target?|Your Guide to a Healthy Mouth|Rheumatoid Arthritis Health Check| Teen Girls and Puberty|Diabetes and Your Body

Find us on:

We're updating our privacy policy.

URAC: Accredited Health Web Site

TRUSTe online privacy certification

HonCode: Health on the Net Foundation

About WebMD|Terms of Use|Privacy Policy|Sponsor Policy|Site Map|Careers| Contact Us

Advertise With Us|WebMD Corporate|Medscape Reference|eMedicineHealth|RxList|Medscape|MedicineNet|BootsWebMD

First Aid|WebMD the Magazine|WebMD Health Record|WebMD Mobile|Newsletters

©2005-2012 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.

WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.