Kontakt 2008, 10(2):382-388 | DOI: 10.32725/kont.2008.058

Physical activities in patients with multiple sclerosisHealth and Social Sciences

Hana Matlasová^*, Jana Kupková

Jihočeská univerzita v Českých Budějovicích, Zdravotně sociální fakulta, katedra klinických oborů

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic disease of the central and peripheral nervous system. This is a demyelinization and autoimmune disease. It rather involves patients in productive age, i.e. between 20 and 40 years of age, most frequently women. Clinical manifestations of the disease are considerably diverse (for example doubled vision, disorders of mobility and coordination). The treatment of multiple sclerosis calls for a complex approach. In addition to pharmacotherapy, rehabilitation and regimen provisions are also of importance. Regular physical activity helps maintain the physical condition and mobility, prevents origination of painful spasms and affects the activity of the digestive and excretion system. Motion in fresh air, for example cycling, ball games, tourism, is very suitable.
The target of the work was to find, whether the locomotor activity affects the course of multiple sclerosis. The main question was whether the patients, who are regularly physically active, experience a delay of the disease development and thus, risk of premature disability. The technique of questionnaire examination was employed in the research. The target group included 90 patients chosen by random selection, 69 women and 21 men. The average age was of 41.5 years and the average duration of the disease was of 9.5 years. The results of the research indicate that the physical activity has important effects on the course of the disease. The locomotor activity considerably affects the health and general condition of patients, improve their subjective attitudes and feelings and thus also the quality of their lives. The rate of the disease development and the degree of the patient disablement is considerably individual to a certain extent. The attitude of the patient to the disease is of importance. The effect of the locomotor activity is one of many determining factors.

Keywords: multiple sclerosis; locomotor activity; quality of life; disability

Received: August 29, 2008; Accepted: October 10, 2008; Published: December 17, 2009  Show citation