Effect of short-term interval exercise training on fatigue, depression, and fitness in normal weight vs. overweight person with multiple sclerosis

Context: Excessive weight is a health problem that can exacerbate multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms and its associated comorbidities such as depression and fatigue. In addition, weight may be a moderator of exercise effects on depression and fatigue symptoms.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of exercise training on fatigue and depression in normal and overweight individuals with MS.

Methods: Sixty-six persons with MS were randomly assigned into an exercise or control condition based on body weight status (overweight vs. normal-weight). The exercise conditions involved 8-weeks of interval exercise at 60-75% Wattpeak, while the control condition did not involve any exercise. Fatigue, depression, aerobic capacity, time up and go (TUG) and body mass index were measured before and following the 8-week period.

Results: There were no significant relationship’s revealed for weight status interactions for any of the variables examined. There were significant condition main effects for fatigue, depression, aerobic capacity and TUG, and significant improvements were noted for the exercise conditions, but not in the non-exercising control group.

Conclusion: The results from this study confirm that exercise is an effective therapeutic intervention for improving fatigue, depression and functional parameters, independent of initial weight status, in persons with MS.