2023-05-30 15:38:17
New studies show that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) may be a promising method to halt and even reverse the progression of multiple sclerosis (MS).
He had noticed for a long time that some patients were much fitter than the images from the magnetic resonance tomograph suggested. “The x-ray showed a lot of nerve damage and I expected the patient to be in bad shape. But then someone came in who was just training for a marathon,” says neurologist Prof. Peter Rieckmann. “It was mostly women who didn’t want to lose their enjoyment of exercise and, despite medical advice to the contrary, sought the effort because they realized that it was good for them,” says Prof. Rieckmann. He supported her – because he saw that it worked.
“At the same time, I noticed a kind of trained helplessness in many patients – they remained physically far below their potential and this seemed to make their condition worse,” says Prof. Rieckmann. In this respect, he gave his medical blessing to patients who wanted to continue exercising despite MS and merely warned them to listen to their physical limits.
High-Intensity Interval Training: Short-term effort with long-term benefits against MS
New studies show that he was right. These turn the previously applicable principles of therapy upside down. Because instead of taking it easy, according to the latest findings, patients should now regularly exert themselves vigorously, explains Prof. Rieckmann. “High-intensity interval training (HIIT training) is the key to how we can stop and even reverse the disease in many cases,” he says in his daily practice at the rehabilitation clinic.
The reason is that the body cells produce the protein BDNF when you exert yourself extremely for a short time. The abbreviation comes from the English from the words “Brain-derived neurotrophic factor”. It is a messenger substance, in technical jargon it is called a neurotrophin. “These messenger substances cause nerve cells to connect with each other in a targeted manner,” explains Prof. Rieckmann.
Prof. Rieckmann: “High-intensity interval training can even scale back MS.”
By strengthening the interconnectedness of the cells, BDNF protects nerve cells from destruction. In addition, BDNF stimulates cell regeneration. Through these actions, it stops MS so that the disease does not get worse in the long term. “The mobility is maintained and even restored,” observes Prof. Rieckmann with his patients. “This means that the damage caused by MS can be compensated for and even partially repaired.”
However, the growth is only formed if the patient really makes an extreme effort. A doctor must first clarify whether he is suitable for this. Especially for heart patients, HIIT training is only possible after an intensive medical examination.
This is how HIIT training works against the insidious nervous disease
HIIT training works as follows, explains Prof. Rieckmann: “You train in six to eight intervals, with extreme stress and active recovery alternating. The patient should go to their personal pain limit for around 30 seconds and exert themselves so hard that it hurts and they gasp for air. The pulse can then briefly rise to 140 to 160 beats per minute. This is followed by two minutes of active recovery during which the patient should keep moving.”
Training can be done on a fitness bike, a stepper or even on stairs or in the swimming pool. According to Prof. Rieckmann, doing HIIT training twice a week is enough for good results. Positive effects were already evident after six to eight weeks.
But interval training alone is not enough to improve the condition of MS patients, emphasizes Prof. Rieckmann: “The basic requirement for the positive effect of high-intensity interval training to unfold is efficient medicinal suppression of the inflammatory reaction in the body of MS patients .”
Patient Manuela Hutter: “Thanks to interval training, I can even climb mountains now”
Moaning, Manuela Hutter can’t stand it. The 44-year-old mother of two was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) at the age of 25. That was in 2002. At that time, the educator from Mainbernheim near Würzburg had no desire to complain about her fate.
She remained active and continued to do sports – even if some doctors advised against it. “It wasn’t always easy. I had very bad phases, but I love doing sports and I didn’t want to give up jogging, even though there were many doctors who predicted that I would soon be in a wheelchair,” she says.
Things turned out differently – she is still not in a wheelchair to this day. Because of MS, Manuela Hutter can no longer feel the right side of her body so well and can no longer play tennis. But the power woman has now discovered her love for hiking. “That was in rehab two years ago, it opened my eyes,” says Manuela Hutter. For a long time she couldn’t decide on rehab. “Actually, I felt too fit for rehab,” she says. But then the Corona period came and Manuela Hutter went to a rehab in the Medical Park Loipl in Bischofswiesen near Berchtesgaden. “After a short time, I realized that I could actually do a lot more than I thought I could,” she says. After a few weeks of high-intensity interval training with Prof. Peter Rieckmann (see text above), she was even able to go hiking. “Now I like to hike at altitudes of up to 2000 meters, I have the feeling that the mountain air is good for me too.”
What gets her so high, despite MS, is her iron will, in addition to the therapy with medication and training. “I’ve been fighting the disease for 20 years,” says the 44-year-old. Even if her MS is sometimes hard on her, she has been jogging every day for years. She used to fall regularly. That only happens to her very rarely now that she’s been doing interval training on a regular basis.
Multiple sclerosis: development and symptoms and classic therapy options
Multiple sclerosis (MS for short) is a chronic inflammatory neurological disease. It affects the central nervous system, i.e. the brain, the spinal cord and the optic nerve, explains MS specialist and neurologist Prof. Peter Rieckmann. The disease causes two types of damage in the body: On the one hand, the nerve insulation layer is damaged, in technical terms this is called demyelination. In addition, nerve fibers and cells are broken down.
The tricky thing about MS is that it is unpredictable and variable in course. “On the one hand, there are relapses, with which the symptoms can also disappear again. There is also a form that is gradual from the start,” explains Prof. Rieckmann. The cause of MS is still unknown to this day. It is assumed that it is an incorrect reaction of the body’s own defense system, i.e. an autoimmune disease. Since women are affected twice as often as men, hormonal influences are also suspected, says Prof. Rieckmann.
The disease manifests itself differently from patient to patient, explains the neurologist. Common symptoms include numbness or tingling in the legs or arms, rapid exhaustion, and extreme fatigue. Furthermore, those affected often have problems with bowel or bladder emptying, balance disorders and visual disturbances in one eye. Rarely, they also suffer from signs of paralysis early on.
The classic therapies against MS: Enormous advances thanks to immunotherapies
Multiple sclerosis is still incurable today, explains neurologist Prof. Peter Rieckmann. However, the course of the disease can be slowed down and weakened with medication. There are different forms of treatment, explains the expert.
Relapse therapy is about slowing down an acute relapse, i.e. a sudden deterioration. Cortisone preparations are mainly used here.
The aim of basic therapy, also known as long-term immunotherapy, is to influence the course of MS. In particular, relapses should be prevented here in order to prevent or at least delay a possible later disability. Since MS is an autoimmune disease, the body’s own defense system goes haywire in those affected. This is where the immune drugs step in and prevent the disease from progressing. Research has made great strides in recent decades, so that patients can lead an almost normal life thanks to new medicines.
For this purpose, drugs are used that influence the body’s immune system. There are so-called immune modulators that change the body’s defense system. There are also so-called immunosuppressants, which suppress the immune system in such a way that it no longer harms the body itself.
In symptomatic therapy, symptoms such as exhaustion, muscle cramps or bowel emptying disorders are alleviated. This is achieved through medication, physiotherapy, ergotherapy and speech therapy.
This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. In no way does it replace a visit to the doctor. Unfortunately, our editorial team cannot answer individual questions about clinical pictures.
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