Carnosine Loading and Periodized Training in MS and HC

Summary

Increasing evidence favours exercise therapy as an efficient tool to counteract inactivity related secondary symptoms in MS. Furthermore, exercise therapy may affect MS-associated muscle contractile and energy supply dysfunctions. So far, low to moderate intensity exercise rehabilitation has shown to induce small but consistent improvements in several functional parameters. High intensity exercise training in MS seems to further improve this. However, although results are promising, impairments in both muscle contraction and energy supply probably attenuate therapy outcome. In keeping with the above described physiological role of skeletal muscle carnosine and because muscle carnosine content may be lower in MS, the primary aim of the present project is to investigate whether carnosine loading improves exercise therapy outcome (exercise capacity, body composition) and performance in MS. If the latter hypothesis can be confirmed, muscle carnosine loading could be a novel intervention to improve exercise capacity and muscle function in this population.

Conditions

• Multiple Sclerosis
• Exercise Therapy
• Dietary Supplement

Interventions

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Beta-alanine supplementation

The supplementation protocol of β-alanine (Etixx® Omega Pharma Belgium NV) involves oral intake of 4 x 800mg (3.2g/day29, 43) daily with at least 2h apart of slow-release β-alanine during the first 12 weeks. After this loading period, subjects will receive a maintenance dose of 2 x 800mg (1.6g/day) β-alanine for the remaining study duration.

OTHER

Exercise intervention

The exercise training program (6 months) involves 3 week cycles (week I-III). During week I, subjects will perform high volume moderate intensity cardiovascular cycle training (3x/week). Twice a week, subjects perform 3h training sessions (70-80% HRmax\*) and once a week a 1.5h session will be executed (80-90% HRmax). During week II, subjects will perform low volume maximum intensity interval cycle training (3/w). High intensity interval cycle training (HIIT) will consist of 3x maximal sprints (90-100% HRmax) of 1.5min, interspersed with 3min rest intervals. A 5min standardized warming up and 5min cooling down will be performed. Week III involves a recovery week where subjects will perform one training session of 1.5h at an exercise intensity of 70-80% HRmax and one session of HIIT.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Hasselt University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Bert O Eijnde · Hasselt University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

OTHER

Masking

QUADRUPLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

75 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2017-02-01

Primary Completion

2017-10-30

Completion

2017-12-30

Countries

• Belgium

Study Locations