Effect of single bout aerobic and resistance exercise on the pain perception and cardiovascular responses in women with multiple sclerosis

Background: Based on new evidence, exercise with type and intensity consideration may impact on pain relief and good cardiovascular responses in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Objective: To investigate the effect of resistance (RE) and aerobic exercise (AE) on the threshold, pain perception and cardiovascular responses in women with MS. Methods: In this semi-experimental study, Ten female patients with MS selected from MS society of Rasht who had necessary criteria and average systolic blood pressure (SBP) of 112.90 and diastolic blood pressure of 74.50 (mmHg) participated as a purposeful and available sample in 2014. Resistance exercise included 2 sets of 10 repetitions for 5 exercises as circuit and aerobic exercise consisted of cycle ergometry with intensity of 50-60% HRmax. Pain threshold, perception and blood pressure were measured with Algometer, pain scale and sphygmomanometer ALPK2 respectively. The ANOVA repeated measures and Pearson correlation coefficient were used for data analysis. Findings: SBP had a normal process, but it was non-significant after exercises. Heart rate increased (P<0.05) immediately after both exercises compared with pre-exercise significantly and at minutes of 10-60 after the exercise was significantly reduced comparing to immediately post aerobic exercise (P<0.05).Pain perception was not significant after both exercises, Pain threshold than pre-exercise level was decreased in both exercises, but significant relationship with Heart rate was observed only in aerobic exercise (P=0.041). Conclusion: Based on the findings, resistance exercise and aerobic exercise with moderate intensity probably can lead to decrease pain threshold, blood pressure and heart rate to 15 minutes after the exercise in female patients with MS.