BACKGROUND: Guidelines for optimal exercise doses in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) have to be established. We need to ascertain the basic physiological and perceptual response and adaptation to different exercise doses in this clinical population. AIM: The aim of this paper was to explore the response during maximal and sub-maximal exercise in people with MS prior to and following two different twelve week exercise programmes. DESIGN: Sub-analysis of per protocol exercise data of a two group, single blinded, randomised control trial. SETTING: Multicentre (community leisure and rehabilitation centres). POPULATION: Participants with MS assigned to a continuous (n = 12; mean +/- SE age 52.3 +/- 2.08; Barthel Index median and range 19 and 13 to 20) or interval (n = 9; mean +/- SE age 49.3 +/- 3.5; Barthel Index median and range 19 and 18 to 20) exercise programme. METHODS: Cardiovascular, respiratory and perceptual exercise response and adaption was measured at maximal and sub-maximal levels of physical exercise prior to and following a twelve week exercise programme, delivered at different intensities. RESULTS: Irrespective of the type of exercise programme followed, there was a significant increase in peak power (z = -1.98; p = 0.05) and normalised oxygen uptake during unloaded cycling (z = -2.00; p = 0.05). At discharge from the exercise programmes, the cardiovascular response to sub-maximal exercise had significantly changed (t[360] = -4.62; p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The response in people with MS at maximal and sub-maximal levels of physical exercise following a twelve week programme is analogous to non-diseased adults.

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