Exercise in Multiple Sclerosis

Exercise is safe and beneficial in multiple sclerosis (MS): it does not cause relapses or accelerate progression, and it improves fitness, strength, mobility, fatigue, mood and quality of life.

For most of the twentieth century people with MS were advised to avoid exertion, because exercise can worsen symptoms. That observation is often true in heat-sensitive people, but the worsening is transient. Current UK guidance is to encourage people with MS to exercise and to tell them that regular exercise may benefit their MS and does not harm it.