The Benefits of Physical and Social Activity

Remaining active and engaged in life can be challenging with any chronic condition, including multiple sclerosis (MS). Despite the challenges, living a rewarding life – one that is filled with the activities and people you value – doesn’t need to be out of reach. In this article, we’ll discuss the benefits of physical and social activity for people living with MS, and provide some strategies for engaging (or re-engaging) in those areas.

People with MS may face major challenges when trying to resume physical activities that they enjoyed before their symptoms began. According to the article, “Physical activity and its measurement and determinants in multiple sclerosis” [RW Rotl, Minerva Med. 2008 Apr;99(2):157-65], “Overall, there is fairly strong and consistent evidence that individuals with MS are largely inactive compared with non-diseased populations… and the emerging research has highlighted the role of symptoms in explaining inactivity in this population.” Although remaining active may be more difficult when experiencing symptoms, increasing one’s physical activity has the potential for significant health benefits among individuals with MS. Currently, no clear recommendations are available on the amount of physical activity that is appropriate for people with MS. Guidelines for adults without a chronic condition are 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity (such as walking) per week, plus muscle-strengthening activities at least twice per week. The best advice is to talk to your doctor or physical therapist about the amount and type of regular physical activity that is right for you. You may find many benefits to remaining physically active, both for your body and for your mind. Studies of individuals with MS indicate that exercise results in improved strength, reduced pain, less stress, improved mood, and greater endurance. Regular exercise can also help prevent other diseases that can impact your life and your health.We know that exercise provides many benefits to your heart and vascular system. It can increase the efficiency of the heart, and decrease the risk of heart disease. Regular physical activity can lower blood pressure and decrease harmful (LDL) cholesterol, while increasing good (HDL) cholesterol. Exercise can also help regulate blood sugar levels and prevent diabetes. In addition, physical activity can help to maintain muscle strength, maintain bone density and reduce the risk of fracture, and regulate breathing. Another important benefit of exercise for individuals with MS is that it can help you to maintain your current level of physical function, or perhaps even regain some of the function and strength you may have lost. For example, you might be able to strengthen your leg muscles, or improve your level of cardiovascular fitness, enabling you to remain independent and perform activities of daily living that are important to you. These may include basic, everyday activities such as bathing and dressing, taking care of things around the house, and running errands.