Abstract
Although the role of aerobic exercise in multiple sclerosis (MS) is often debated, there has been little academic study in this important area. We performed a controlled study on the role of cardiovascular fitness in 50 people with clinically definite MS (25 subjects and 25 controls). The study was organized to allow each participant ample opportunity to achieve fitness. The results indicate that, despite popular medical opinion, aerobic exercise, when performed appropriately, does not increase disability; rather, there was a modest (10%) increase in fitness, which was measured as work load achieved. Low-disability individuals tend to become fit more easily than high-disability ones. Future investigations of the role of fitness on the course of MS and the quality of life of those with the disease are clearly indicated.