Affiliations: [a] Department of Kinesiology, Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
| [b] Brock-Niagara Centre for Health and Well-being, Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
Correspondence:
[*]
Address for correspondence: David Ditor, Ph.D., Department of Kinesiology, Director, POWER CORD Accessible Exercise,
Brock University, 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, St. Catharines, ON, Canada. Tel.: +1 905 688 5550/Ext. 5338; Fax:
+1 905 688 8364; E-mail: dditor@brocku.ca.
Abstract: BACKGROUND:Although exercise training has benefits for individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS), research regarding the type of exercise equipment that requires the greatest aerobic demand, and consumer-based preferences, is lacking. OBJECTIVE:To determine the aerobic demands of various pieces of accessible exercise equipment and consumer-based preferences on several domains. METHODS:Ten individuals with moderate-severity MS had their VO2 measured during 10 minutes of moderate-intensity arm ergometry (AE), body-weight support treadmill training (BWSTT), recumbent arm-leg exercise (NuStep), FES-arm exercise (RT300), FES-leg exercise (RT300) and FES arm-leg exercise (RT200). VO2peak test was also measured on the NuStep and the RT200. Equipment preferences were determined by questionnaire after moderate exercise sessions. RESULTS:AE required a lower VO2 compared to the NuStep (p = 0.02), and FES-arm exercise required a lower VO2 compared to the NuStep (p = 0.01) and FES arm-leg exercise (p = 0.04). There was no difference in VO2peak when using the NuStep or FES arm-leg exercise. AE was perceived as safer than BWSTT, but otherwise there were no preferences for any equipment. CONCLUSIONS:For individuals with moderate-severity MS, arm-only exercise requires less aerobic demands than combined arm-leg exercise at a moderate intensity. Perceived risks may be greater when exercise requires a transfer, upright positioning, or assistance.
