Exercise testing in people with MS with moderate disability
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Validity and Feasibility of Submaximal Exercise Testing to Assess Cardiorespiratory Fitness in People with Moderate Levels of Disability Due to Multiple Sclerosis
IRAS ID
358748
Contact name
Krishnakali Das
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Glasgow Caledonian University
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 1 months, 0 days
Research summary
Cardiorespiratory fitness describes how well the heart and lungs work to supply oxygen to muscles during exercise. High levels of fitness can help improve mobility, reduce fatigue, and support overall health. However, people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) often have lower level of fitness which tends to worsen as their disability increases.
The most accurate way to measure cardiorespiratory fitness is through a ‘maximal’ exercise test which requires exercising until exhaustion. While this test gives accurate results, it can be very physically demanding for PwMS, especially those with higher levels of disability. It is also not clear if they can reach the required level of exhaustion to complete the test.
In this study, we aim to find out whether a lower-intensity ‘submaximal’ exercise test, which is less commonly used in PwMS, can offer a more practical and less tiring alternative while still providing accurate results. We will invite PwMS with moderate disability to Glasgow Caledonian University to complete both the maximal and submaximal tests, scheduled one week apart. In the maximal test, participants will cycle for 8 to 12 minutes while we gradually increase the difficulty every 2 minutes. In the submaximal test, they will cycle at a steady pace for 6 minutes.
We will compare the results of the two tests to see how closely they match. We will also assess how many participants complete each test and whether the tests cause any fatigue or any side effects. If the ‘submaximal’ test proves to be accurate and is easier to complete, it could offer a more accessible method to assess cardiorespiratory fitness in PwMS. This would help healthcare professionals give personalised exercise advice while minimizing unnecessary exhaustion for this population.
REC name
West of Scotland REC 3
REC reference
25/WS/0128
Date of REC Opinion
18 Sep 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion