Exercise has been linked to a reduced relapse rate, slower disease progression, and reduced fatigue, among other benefits. Learn the top exercises for MS and how they improve strength, coordination, and balance.
Squats, planks, bridges, and wall push-ups are among the most beneficial exercises for people who have MS.
Exercise is essential not just for overall well-being — it can also help manage symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS). According to a review published in August 2016 in Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics, in people who have MS, exercise has been associated with a reduced relapse rate, lower lesion volume, slower progression of the disease, and improved performance on neurological tests. Another study, published in July 2017 in Multiple Sclerosis, found that resistance training in particular can increase cortical thickness in people with relapsing-remitting MS, suggesting that this type of exercise can help combat brain atrophy, which is associated with disease progression in MS.
By Beth W. Orenstein Medically Reviewed by Jason Paul Chua, MD, PhD
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