Periodized Rehabilitation and Beta-alanine Supplementation in Multiple Sclerosis
Condition: Multiple Sclerosis
MeSH terms: Multiple Sclerosis; Sclerosis
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      Exercise therapy and increased physical activity in persons with Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
      improves mobility, muscular strength, physical fitness and fatigue without increasing relapse
      rate. As such, physical activity and more particular exercise therapy have become an
      important part of MS rehabilitation. Despite the fact that the positive effects of exercise
      therapy in MS are obvious only 43 percent of the MS community reports to participate in an
      exercise program4. Therefore, new exercise therapy approaches that further optimize
      rehabilitation, improve exercise adherence and promote participation in physical exercise in
      MS are interesting to explore. Therefore, the randomized controlled trial investigates two
      types of exercise interventions (classic progressive vs periodized) with or without the
      addition of ergogenic supplements (beta-alanine vs placebo).
    

Detailed description: 
      Following inclusion, baseline measurements (PRE) will be performed in MS patients (n=80).
      First, static(isometric) muscle strength (dynamometry), exercise capacity (maximal graded
      exercise test) and body composition (DEXA) will be evaluated. After 4 days of recovery, m.
      vastus lateralis muscle samples (Bergström procedure) will be taken. Hereafter, MS patients
      will be randomly allocated to one of four intervention groups following either 12 weeks of
      'classical' moderate intensity cardiovascular exercise therapy (n=40) or periodized exercise
      therapy (n=40), with (MSβclassic, n=20; MSβperiod, n=20) or without (MSclassic, n=20;
      MSperiod, n=20) β-alanine supplementation. Groups not receiving β-alanine supplements, will
      receive placebo tablets that will be identical in taste and appearance. To evaluate post
      training fatigue, perceived exertion will be recorded following each training session (6-20
      BORG scale). Following 12 weeks of classic or periodized training POST intervention
      measurements will be performed similar to baseline.
    

Intervention name(s): Classic, progressive endurance training; Periodized exercise training; beta-alanine
Intervention type(s): Other; Other; Dietary Supplement
Intervention description(s): Moderate intensity endurance training will be performed following a sequence of 5 training sessions every 2 weeks throughout the 12-week intervention. Sessions will include 60min of cycling on a stationary bicycle. Exercise intensity will match 60-80% of the maximal heart rate (HRmax); Throughout the 12-week periodized intervention, subjects will perform four recurrent 3-week cycles of moderate endurance training (week 1,three sessions, 60min/session, 60-80% HRmax), high intensity interval training (week 2, three sessions, 10min/session, 3x20sec supramaximal sprint interspersed with recovery intervals of 2min), and recovery weeks (week 3, one high intense interval session as described above); Some subjects will receive the ergogenic supplement beta-alanine.
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Intervention model description: Four intervention groups following either 12 weeks of 'classical' moderate intensity cardiovascular exercise therapy (n=40) or periodized exercise therapy (n=40), with (MSβclassic, n=20; MSβperiod, n=20) or without (MSclassic, n=20; MSperiod, n=20) β-alanine supplementation
Masking: Quadruple (Participant, Care Provider, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Primary purpose: Other
Keywords: Rehabilitation; Periodized exercise therapy; Ergogenic supplementation