Descriptive epidemiology of physical activity rates in multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Background: Persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) engage in substantially less overall physical activity than healthy controls, but there is little information on public health rates of physical activity necessary for health benefits.

Purpose: This study examined the rates of insufficient, moderate, and sufficient physical activity in persons with MS compared with healthy controls.

Method: Secondary analysis of data from participants with MS (n = 1521) and healthy controls (n = 162) who completed the Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire (GLTEQ) as part of a questionnaire battery in 14 previous investigations.

Results: There were statistically significant differences in overall GLTEQ scores (F1,1666 = 96.8, P < 0.001, d = 0.83) and rates of physical activity (χ(2) (2, N = 1683) = 94.2, P < 0.001) between MS and control groups. The rates of insufficient, moderate, and sufficient physical activity in the MS group were 58.0%, 15.2%, and 26.8%, respectively. Those with MS were 2.5 times more likely to report insufficient physical activity and 2.3 times less likely to report sufficient physical activity than controls.

Conclusion: The majority of persons with MS were insufficiently physically active, and this segment represents the largest opportunity for successful behavior change and accumulation of associated health benefits.

Keywords: health; multiple sclerosis; physical activity.