Comparative ergospirometric responses to arm-crank and leg-cycle exercise in women with multiple sclerosis: a pilot study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v75.118114Keywords:
Exercise testing, multiple sclerosis, neurorehabilitation, physical performance, upper vs lower limbsAbstract
Objectives: This pilot study aimed to determine whether aerobic capacity differs when assessed using arm-crank ergometry (ACE) and leg-cycle ergometry (LCE) in women with MS (wwMS) and healthy controls (HC), and to compare the percentage difference in peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak) between ACE and LCE across groups.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted involving twenty women: ten wwMS and ten HC, matched for age, body weight, and BMI. All participants completed two separate ergospirometric tests: one using ACE and one using LCE. The variables analysed included VO₂peak, peak mechanical power (Wpeak), respiratory quotient, peak pulmonary ventilation (VEpeak), maximal heart rate (HRmax), and oxygen pulse. The percentage difference between ACE and LCE (ACE/LCE ratio) was calculated for each variable. Data were analysed using the Mann-Whitney U test, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.
Results: Compared with HC, wwMS showed lower VO₂peak (p = 0.004 and p = 0.005), Wpeak (p = 0.002 and p < 0.001), HRmax (p = 0.013 and p = 0.003), and VEpeak (p = 0.003 and p = 0.001) during the ACE and LCE assessments, respectively. WwMS also exhibited a lower oxygen pulse than HC (p = 0.005) during ACE, but not during LCE. The ACE/LCE ratio showed that mechanical power was lower in wwMS compared with HC (p = 0.045).
Conclusions: Women with mild to moderate MS demonstrate reduced cardiovascular, pulmonary, and muscular capacity, as well as a smaller percentage difference in arm power relative to leg power, suggesting greater impairment of the lower limbs in this population.
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