Effect of High-Intensity Interval Training on Mitochondrial Density in Skeletal Muscles of MS Patients

Abstract

This literature study fits in the research domain of cardiorespiratory and internal diseases as well as the neurological subdomain of the rehabilitation sciences and physiotherapy department of Hasselt University and is constructed according to the central format. The effect of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on biomarkers of mitochondrial biogenesis and mitochondrial density in skeletal muscles of patients with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) was studied through a literature review. Outcome measures are: peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1'), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38-MAPK), adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), adenosine triphosphate (ATP), cytochrome c oxidase (COX) and citrate synthase (CS). HIIT was the intervention of choice because of the small effect size of low to moderate intensity exercise. Here, higher intensity exercise might improve therapy outcomes, due to the major advantages of intense bursts of activity interspersed with fixed periods of less-intense activity, or even complete rest. Exercise duration of HIIT is short in comparison with endurance exercise. This makes it an interesting exercise modality for pwMS who often have a reduced exercise capacity. In the second part of this study, a research protocol is described.