Grant: Knowledge Synthesis Grant - PA: Phys. Act., sedentary behaviours and health

Nearly 80,000 Canadians are living with multiple sclerosis (MS). These Canadians experience symptoms such as muscle weakness, extreme fatigue, and paralysis. These symptoms lead to poor quality of life and high health care costs (approximately $1.7 billion annually). Physical activity is one strategy with potential to counteract the disabling symptoms of MS. Research indicates that people with MS who engage in physical activity can improve or maintain their functional ability, aerobic fitness, strength, fatigue, quality of life, and overall health. Despite these benefits, most people with MS are inactive. A systematic effort to promote physical activity in this population is needed. However, it is very difficult to design effective physical activity programs and informational resources for people with MS in the absence of population-specific physical activity guidelines. We do not have a set of rigorously developed guidelines for Canadians with MS describing the optimal frequency, intensity, type, and duration of physical activity needed to improve fitness and well-being. Furthermore, we cannot simply apply the guidelines for the general population, as they do not take into account the physical abilities, health status, and the unique benefits of physical activity participation among people with MS. Thus, the objectives of the proposed project are a) to review and summarize the existing research related to physical activity, fitness, and well-being for people with MS and b) to use this summary for creating MS-specific physical activity guidelines that are endorsed by a panel of experts. These guidelines will position Canada as a world leader in developing physical activity guidelines for disability groups. Our summary of evidence and guidelines will contribute to the development of much-needed and optimally effective physical activity resources for the MS population. They ultimately will lead to the improved fitness and well-being of consumers with MS.