Life is a balancing act at the best of times, but for anyone with multiple sclerosis (MS), just maintaining their physical balance can be a challenge. The effects of this autoimmune disorder, in which affected nerves can no longer conduct nerve impulses, include poor coordination, numbness, and fatigue. As there is no specific treatment for MS, people with the disease have to find ways of coping with these symptoms while going about their daily life as best they can.
In 2008, BodySmart was looking into the benefits of training on the Power Plate® within a health care context. Because the Power Plate® has a positive impact on blood flow, motor function and joint stability, BodySmart felt that people with MS might be interested in this form of training. BodySmart contacted MS Ireland and the two organizations devised a pilot project in which a group of people with MS took exercise sessions with BodySmart once a week for 12 weeks.
The response of the pilot project group to working out on the Power Plate® was overwhelmingly positive. 65% opted to continue with the training at their own expense (the pilot project had been funded by MS Ireland), having seen benefits such as:
• increased muscle strength
• improved single leg balance
• greater flexibility.
As a result, a separate training pathway, currently available in the Dublin and Naas studios, has been created by BodySmart in conjunction with MS Ireland, and the number of people with MS working out with BodySmart continues to grow.
NOTE: A physiotherapy assessment is required to see if the training is appropriate for your needs.
If you have MS and are interested in training on the Power Plate®, you can contact either BodySmart directly or your regional MS Ireland coordinator.
case study |
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Helen Hayes, one of the ‘regulars’ at the BodySmart Mount Merrion studio, has joined up for another 12 sessions.
“When I started I was very tired and lethargic, but training on the Power Plate® has given me more energy.”
She isn’t sure if she is building muscle, but has noticed that when she gets her injections her muscles feel tighter. She also finds that for a day or so after her Power Plate® session, the ‘tingles’ (a common symptom of MS) are considerably reduced. And there are other equally important benefits of training on the Power Plate®.
“I’m doing something positive,” Helen says, “something which doesn’t take much time. And it’s good fun—even though it can be awful hard work!”
case study
Helen Hayes, one of the ‘regulars’ at the BodySmart Mount Merrion studio, has joined up for another 12 sessions. “When I started I was...
research findings |
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A pilot study performed in Sweden in February 2007 by the Power Plate® International Research Development Education and Training (RDET) suggests that exercising on the Power Plate® can help to improve postural control, balance, mobility, muscle strength and endurance among people with multiple sclerosis. Ten participants from a physical therapy clinic performed squats, lunges, upper body and stretching exercises twice a week for 12 weeks.
When the pre and post-test results were compared, the majority of the patients maintained or improved both their functioning and performance levels.
The results of a timed ‘get up and go’ test, a nine hole peg test and the ‘rise and sit down’ test showed significant group improvements in activities that use ‘explosive’ strength and coordination: Although longer walking tests didn’t show a significant increase for the group, most of the participants improved their performance slightly or stayed at a similar level.
research findings
A pilot study performed in Sweden in February 2007 by the Power Plate® International Research Development Education and Training suggests...
