Brain & Nervous System Multiple Sclerosis Living With Exercise and Its Positive Impact on Multiple Sclerosis By Colleen Doherty, MD Colleen Doherty, MD Colleen Doherty, MD, is a board-certified internist living with multiple sclerosis. Learn about our editorial process Updated on February 28, 2022 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Huma Sheikh, MD Medically reviewed by Huma Sheikh, MD Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Huma Sheikh, MD, is board-certified in neurology and specializes in migraine and stroke. She co-founded the migraine and vascular section for the American Headache Society. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Hinterhaus Productions/Getty Images Even though the symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) vary from person to person, experiencing any one of them (e.g., fatigue, muscle spasms/weakness, and mobility issues, to name a few) can be downright brutal. This is why experts are diligently working to find therapies that, in addition to an MS disease-modifying medication, can further improve a person's symptoms or even, perhaps, help slow down their disease course. One such therapy that has consistently been found to be beneficial for those living with MS is exercise. 3:38 3 MS Patients Share Their Tips for Managing Stress Benefits of Exercise in MS Aside from the "feel-good" chemicals (called endorphins) released during exercise, research suggests that engaging in cardiorespiratory activities (for example, bicycling or swimming) can improve muscle strength, tiredness, cognition (memory and thinking skills), and breathing function in those with MS. In addition, progressive resistance training—a form of exercise that builds muscle strength—has also been found to improve fatigue and mood in some people with MS. Flexibility exercises, which stretch the muscles and tendon to their full length, have been found to help people with MS maintain balance, reduce spasticity, and enhance joint range of motion. Flexibility exercises are especially important in MS.Balance and walking problems affect approximately 50 to 80% of all people with MS.Falling is a complication of balance and gait dysfunction. Research suggests that over 50% percent of people with MS fall at least once each year. Other effects of MS that may improve with regular exercise include: Improving bladder and bowel function Preventing the loss of bone density (called osteoporosis) Reducing depression Improving social functioning and quality of life Besides benefitting your MS health, there are a number of other positives to engaging in a regular exercise routine. Research has found that moderate and/or vigorous exercise decreases your risk of obesity, heart disease, stroke, depression, and certain types of cancer. It can also reduce stress and anxiety, and improve sleep. How Exercise Makes You Healthy Exercise and Brain Structure While there are definite symptom benefits to exercising if you or a loved one has MS, the jury is still out on whether exercise can positively alter the brains of those living with MS. More research is needed to draw any definite conclusions. Exploring Your Exercise Options In order to reap the benefits of exercise for your MS and overall health, you have many different options, You can work out at home or join a gym. You could also consider social physical activities. For example, yoga and tai chi can improve balance and coordination. Likewise, for cardiorespiratory exercises, consider dancing, hiking, swimming, power walking, or joining an organized sport, such as tennis or basketball. Simple everyday activities like gardening and household chores can also get your heart pumping. For muscle strengthening exercises, if you are in a wheelchair, consider doing tricep extensions. If you are ambulatory, do squats. These exercises can be performed within the comfort of your own home. Tips to Follow When Engaging in Exercise Before embarking on an exercise regimen, speak with your healthcare provider to ensure your workouts are safe and right for you. It may also be a good idea to see a physical therapist who has experience working with people with MS. A physical therapist can help you avoid injuries (stretching beforehand is key), as well as come up with exercises that you enjoy and that won't exacerbate your specific MS symptoms. Many people who have MS experience symptoms that tend to worsen or be exacerbated by a rise in body temperature. If you are heat-sensitive, keep these tips in mind: Schedule your exercise workouts in the early morning when the temperature is cooler and your body temperature is lower.Take a tepid bath half an hour prior to exercising.Stay hydrated by drinking cold water throughout your workouts.Use cooling devices while exercising (e.g., cooling vest, cold packs, or spray bottles).Wear light-weight, breathable clothing.If exercising indoors, ensure the facility or room is air-conditioned. Why Heat Worsens Your MS Symptoms A Word From Verywell If you have MS, exercise—when performed under the right conditions and when tailored to a person's unique needs and disability level—is important for your MS and for your overall health. If you are heat sensitive, you can make a few adjustments to ensure that you don't get too hot when exercising. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Get tips and advice on how you can live a full and happy life with MS. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 3 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Halabchi F, Alizadeh Z, Sahraian MA, Abolhasani M. Exercise prescription for patients with multiple sclerosis; potential benefits and practical recommendations. BMC Neurol. 2017 Sep 16;17(1):185. doi: 10.1186/s12883-017-0960-9 Kjolhede T, Vissing K, Dalgas U. Multiple sclerosis and progressive resistance training: a systematic review.Mult Scler. 2012 Sep;18(9):1215-28. doi:10.1177/1352458512437418 Cameron MH, Nilsagard Y. Balance, gait, and falls in multiple sclerosis.Handb Clin Neurol. 2018;159:237-50. doi:10.1016/B978-0-444-63916-5.00015-X Additional Reading Edwards T, Pilutti LA. The effect of exercise training in adults with multiple sclerosis with severe mobility disability: A systematic review and future research directions.Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2017 Aug;16:31-9. doi:10.1016/j.msard.2017.06.003 National MS Society. (2016). Stretching for People with MS: An Illustrated Manual. National MS Society. (n.d.). Benefits of an Exercise Program. Peterson DM. (2019). The benefits and risks of aerobic exercise. Aronson MD, O'Connor FG, eds. UpToDate. Waltham, MA: UpToDate Inc. Prakash RS, Snook EM, Motl RW, Kramer AF. Aerobic Fitness is Associated with Gray Matter Volume and White Matter Integrity in Multiple Sclerosis. Brain Res. 2010 Jun 23;1341C:41-51. doi:10.1016/j.brainres.2009.06.063