Publications by authors named "Tobias Gaemelke"
Comprehensive evaluation of accelerometer-based physical activity in persons with multiple sclerosis - The influence of disability status and its impact on walking capacity.
Mult Scler Relat Disord
December 2024
Introduction: Multiple sclerosis has a substantial negative impact on physical activity (PA). However, limited knowledge exists on objectively measured PA levels and types across disability status along with its influence on walking capacity.
Objectives: To (1) determine PA levels/types in persons with MS (pwMS) (overall and across disability status) and in healthy controls (HC), and (2) investigate the association between PA levels/types and walking capacity.
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to examine how muscle fatigue in the quadriceps affects kicking performance in experienced soccer players.
- Sixteen male players (5 professionals, 11 amateurs) participated in kicking tests under two conditions: after muscle fatigue and in a control state.
- Results showed that fatigue reduced kicking speed by about 2.1%, but did not significantly impact shooting accuracy, which saw a slight numerical decline.
Sarcopenia in older people with multiple sclerosis: A cross-sectional study.
Mult Scler Relat Disord
November 2024
Article Synopsis
- Older people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) are at a higher risk for sarcopenia, which means they may experience decreased muscle mass, strength, and function, and this issue is not well-studied in this population.
- This study analyzed 41 older pwMS and 27 healthy controls using the EWGSOP2 diagnostic tool and focused on their muscle strength in both upper and lower extremities.
- Results revealed that older pwMS had significantly lower muscle strength, especially in their lower extremities, and concluded that lower extremity tests are more effective for diagnosing sarcopenia in this group.
Introduction: Approximately one-third of all persons with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) are older, i.e., having an age ≥60 years.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEffects of walking interventions in persons with multiple sclerosis-A systematic review.
Mult Scler Relat Disord
April 2024
Objective: The aim of the present systematic review was to investigate the effects of voluntary walking interventions in persons with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). For this purpose, we developed a framework to describe the components of walking interventions.
Data Sources: Two databases (MEDLINE/PubMed and EMBASE) were searched in January 2023.
Article Synopsis
- The study investigates how neuromuscular function varies between older individuals with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) and healthy controls (HC) across different age groups (young, middle-aged, and old).
- Findings revealed that pwMS exhibited significantly reduced muscle strength (Fmax), rate of force development (RFD), and voluntary activation (VA) in knee extensors (KE) compared to HC, with greater declines observed in the plantar flexors (PF) as they aged.
- The results indicate that both MS and age negatively impact muscle function, particularly in PF, with unique patterns of decline between pwMS and HC, suggesting a need for further research into the neural mechanisms behind these deficits.
Article Synopsis
- - Researchers investigated the link between knee extensor rate of force development (RFD) and falls in people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS), noting that RFD, a measure of how quickly muscle force can be generated, is typically more affected than maximal muscle strength (Fmax) in this population.
- - The study involved 53 pwMS participants categorized as non-fallers, fallers, and recurrent fallers based on their history of falls over the past year, with assessments conducted using isokinetic dynamometry to evaluate RFD and Fmax.
- - Findings revealed significant reductions in both RFD and Fmax among fallers and recurrent fallers compared to non-fallers, with a strong association between lower R
Background: Exercise is a cornerstone in rehabilitation of persons with multiple sclerosis (pwMS), which is known to elicit beneficial effects on various symptoms and to have a potential disease-modifying effect. However, it remains to be elucidated if the existing MS exercise literature covers the full age and disability span of pwMS.
Objective: To systematically review MS exercise studies and provide a detailed mapping of the demographic and clinical characteristics of the included pwMS.
Investigating the potential disease-modifying and neuroprotective efficacy of exercise therapy early in the disease course of multiple sclerosis: The Early Multiple Sclerosis Exercise Study (EMSES).
Mult Scler
September 2022
Background: Potential supplemental disease-modifying and neuroprotective treatment strategies are warranted in multiple sclerosis (MS). Exercise is a promising non-pharmacological approach, and an uninvestigated 'window of opportunity' exists early in the disease course.
Objective: To investigate the effect of early exercise on relapse rate, global brain atrophy and secondary magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) outcomes.
Background: Motor fatigability (i.e. contraction-induced reduction in muscle strength) from a concentric task associate stronger to walking and perception of fatigue in persons with multiple sclerosis (pwMS), compared with an isometric task.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- A study investigated the impact of personalized inpatient multidisciplinary rehabilitation (MDR) on physical function in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), focusing on clinically relevant improvements.
- Over four weeks, patients underwent various tests to measure walking capacity and upper extremity function, showing significant improvements at discharge, particularly in walking-related measures.
- Although gains in function were maintained at a six-month follow-up, they no longer met the clinically relevant thresholds, indicating that while MDR had beneficial effects, the long-term significance may vary by patient subgroup.
Background: In people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS), no formula exists to predict long walking capacity.
Objective: To examine the accuracy of the timed 25-foot walk (T25FW) to predict long walking in pwMS with various degrees of walking dysfunction.
Methods: A linear regression was made between the T25FW and the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) using data from 498 pwMS.