Your guide to living a healthy life with MS
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General population benefits of physical activity

By way of introduction to this section on how using exercise/physical activity can help to manage symptoms of our MS it is worth talking a bit about the benefits of exercise to the population in general.

Similarly to much of what we have said about lifestyle and diet already, you may well be aware of this but I think it can help sometimes to put a 'general health' perspective on things and discuss their general importance before focussing on specific benefits to us.

Physical activity vs exercise

These terms are used fairly interchangeably but 'physical activity' refers to any pursuit which expends calories and raises the heart rate.  Exercise refers to undertaking formal, organised activity with a specific goal in mind. 
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Physical activity benefits

A large body of research has unequivocally shown that shown that exercise/physical activity can help to reduce the risk of developing many chronic diseases:

  • Coronary heat disease
  • Stroke
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Some cancers
  • Obesity
  • Mental health difficulties
  • Musculoskeletal diseases
   
Regular physical activity has positive effects on mental health including:
  • Reduction in symptoms of depression
  • Reduction in dementia and Alzheimer's disease

It can enhance psychological wellbeing by:
  • Increasing self-perception
  • Increasing self-esteem
  • Improves mood
  • Improves sleep-quality 
  • Reduces anxiety
  • Reduces general fatigue (not the fatigue we can experience in MS but general tiredness/fatigue) 

Risks of Sedentary behaviour

Until fairly recently risks associated with sedentary behaviour were considered the same as not participating in exercise or physical activity (as above), with most research highlighting the risks of overweight and obesity.  However sedentary behaviour eg sitting for long periods has been shown to be independently related to development of:

  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Some cancers
  • Metabolic function disorders
     

Sources:
GOV.UK (2011) 'Start active, stay active'.  A report on physical activity from the four home counties' Chief Medical Officers.  Available online at: www.sportengland.org/media/2928/dh_128210.pdf 
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PwMS: persons with MS
  • Home
  • About me
  • Lifestyle and MS
    • What is MS? >
      • Types of MS
      • What causes MS?
      • Symptoms of MS
      • How is MS diagnosed?
      • How is MS treated?
    • Stress and MS
    • Smoking and MS
    • Healthy weight >
      • What is a healthy weight for me?
    • Alcohol and MS
    • Sleep and MS >
      • Sleep hygiene tips from the MS Trust
    • Importance of hydration
  • Keeping active
    • Latest MS-specific physical activity guidelines
    • Benefits of exercise >
      • UK Physical Activity Guidelines
    • Components of physical fitness
    • What sort of 'exercise'?
    • Exercise for managing symptoms
    • Exercise and relapse
    • Tips for exercising with MS
  • Diet
    • What is a healthy diet? >
      • 7 tips for a balanced diet
      • What is a portion?
      • 5 tips from the MS Society
      • Diet to reduce risk of further diseases
    • The diet debate in MS >
      • 'Best Bet' diet
      • Overcoming MS (OMS)
      • SWANK
      • Wahls protocol
    • Diet to manage symptoms
    • Dietary supplements >
      • Vitamin D
      • Vitamin B12
      • Essential Fatty Acids
    • Tips for cooking with MS
  • Blog
    • Blog posts (PDF)
  • Contact
    • Useful resources