EFFECT OF PRE-EXERCISE COOLING ON PHYSICAL FUNCTION AND FATIGUE IN MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS PATIENTS 477

The purpose of this research was to determine the effect of pre-exercise cooling on subjective fatigue, gait, and submaximal cycling performance in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). Six ambulatory MS patients (mean age 46.2 yr) with self-reported heat sensitivity participated. Subjects performed two 40-minute exercise bouts at a workload corresponding to 60% VO2max on a Schwinn Air-Dyne. Cooling by immersion to the waist for 30 minutes in a 16-17°C water bath preceded one of the exercise tests. Rectal temperature(Trectal) was recorded during cooling, exercise, and throughout a 30-minute recovery. Trectal, heart rate, VO2, and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were monitored during each exercise bout. Fatigue(physical dimension of the Fatigue Impact Scale) and 25-ft walk performance were assessed before, immediately after, and 30-minutes after the exercise bouts. Exercise results are presented in the followingtable: Walk performance (time and number of steps) and fatigue were significantly better immediately after exercise for the PC condition compared to NC. Walk and fatigue scores did not differ for PC and NC conditions before exercise or after 30 minutes of recovery. Pre-cooling in the manner described allows heat-sensitive MS patients to perform exercise with greater physical comfort and fewer side effects. Pre-cooling may have important implications in promoting maintenance of activity in this population.