Physical Activity and Healthy Aging with Multiple Sclerosis— Literature Review and Research Directions

Abstract:

 There is a “greying” of the population of persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) that coincides with both increased life expectancy and the shifting demographic landscape worldwide. This growing cohort of older adults with MS undergoes normal age-related declines in physical and psychologic functioning that may be compounded by the disease and its progression. Little is known about predicting and managing the progression and consequences of MS in older adults. We believe that a focus on physical activity behavior represents a novel opportunity for transformative research on healthy aging with MS. The current paper reviews existing evidence on physical activity rates, correlates, consequences, and interventions among older adults with MS, and highlights important areas for future research on physical activity and health aging with MS.