نوع مقاله : مقاله پژوهشی
نویسندگان
1 کارشناس ارشد فیزولوژی ورزشی، دانشکده علوم ورزشی، دانشگاه فردوسی مشهد، مشهد، ایران.
2 دانشیار گروه فیزولوژی ورزشی، دانشکده علوم ورزشی، دانشگاه فردوسی مشهد، مشهد، ایران.
3 استادیار گروه فیزولوژی ورزشی، دانشکده علوم ورزشی، دانشگاه فردوسی مشهد، مشهد، ایران
4 دکترای فیزولوژی ورزشی، دانشکده علوم تربیتی و روانشناسی، دانشگاه محقق اردبیلی، اردبیل، ایران.
چکیده
کلیدواژهها
عنوان مقاله [English]
نویسندگان [English]
Background and Objective: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory and neurodegenerative disorder of the central nervous system characterized by demyelination and progressive neurological dysfunction. Fatigue, muscle weakness, and impaired functional capacity are among the most prevalent symptoms experienced by individuals with MS and can substantially impair their quality of life. Exercise interventions have increasingly been recognized as effective non-pharmacological strategies for improving neurological function and alleviating MS-related symptoms. Nerve growth factor (NGF), a key member of the neurotrophin family, plays an important role in neuronal survival, differentiation, and synaptic plasticity. However, limited evidence is available regarding the effects of Pilates-based exercise on neurotrophic factors in individuals with MS. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of an eight-week Pilates training program on serum NGF levels and fatigue in men with multiple sclerosis.
Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study employed a pretest–posttest design with a control group. Twenty-two men diagnosed with multiple sclerosis were recruited through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to either a Pilates training group (n = 12) or a control group (n = 10). Participants in the training group completed an eight-week Pilates exercise program consisting of three 60-minute sessions per week. The control group maintained their usual lifestyle and did not participate in any structured exercise program during the study period. Serum NGF concentrations were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Fatigue was assessed using the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS). Statistical analyses were performed using two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) to examine the effects of time and group. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
Results: Following the eight-week intervention, serum NGF levels significantly increased in the Pilates training group (p = 0.01), whereas no significant change was observed in the control group (p = 0.41). In addition, fatigue scores significantly decreased in the training group after the intervention (p = 0.02), while no significant change was observed in the control group (p = 0.63). Repeated-measures ANOVA revealed a significant time × group interaction for both serum NGF levels and fatigue scores (p < 0.05), indicating that the changes over time differed significantly between the Pilates and control groups.
Conclusion: The findings suggest that an eight-week Pilates training program may positively affect serum NGF levels and reduce fatigue in men with multiple sclerosis. The observed increase in serum NGF may reflect a potential beneficial effect of Pilates exercise on neuroplasticity and neurobiological function. Therefore, Pilates training may be considered a safe and potentially effective complementary exercise strategy within rehabilitation programs for individuals with MS.
کلیدواژهها [English]
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