Journal of Sport and Exercise Physiology

Journal of Sport and Exercise Physiology

Investigating the role of lifetime physical activity on brain health in people with multiple sclerosis: Evidence from magnetic resonance and diffusion imaging

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Raoof Negaresh 1
Reza Gharakhanlou 2
Mohammad Ali Sahraeian 3
Maryam Abolhassani 3
Robert Motl 4
1 Department of Physical education, Farhangian University, P.O. Box 14665-889, Tehran, Iran
2 Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
3 Multiple Sclerosis Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
4 Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL, USA
10.48308/joeppa.2025.239108.1344
Abstract
Background and Purpose: Lifestyle is one of the most important factors affecting human health. Lifetime physical activity can be one of the most important components of lifestyle that is beneficial for brain health in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). The aim of the current study was to investigate the role and relationship of current and lifetime physical activity with the volume and markers of myelin and axon loss in the hippocampus, thalamus, corpus callosum, and amygdala in individuals with MS.
Methods & Materials: Sixty individuals with MS (66% female, 77% relapsing-remitting MS) with a mean age of 37.3±9.3 years and a disability index of 2.2±1.1, participated in this study. Whole brain volume and regions of interest were assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and myelin and axonal loss parameters were assessed by diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). In DTI imaging, fractional anisotropy (FA, an indicator of axonal loss) and mean diffusion (MD, an indicator of myelin loss) were assessed. Current and lifetime physical activity were assessed using an accelerometer and an adapted version of the Activity History Questionnaire, respectively. Moreover, Pearson correlation and partial correlation coefficients were used to estimate the relationship of physical activity parameters with MRI and DTI markers.
Results: The brain, hippocampus and corpus callosum volume of participants who were physically active more than 4 hours/week (high active participants) was significantly greater compared to other participants (p<0.05). Moreover, the FA parameter was significantly higher in the hippocampus and corpus callosum of active participants (p<0.05), while the MD parameter was significantly higher only in the corpus callosum of sedentary participants (p<0.05). There was a significant (p<0.05) positive correlation between lifetime total energy expenditure and brain (r=0.29), thalamus (r=0.37), hippocampus (r=0.73) and corpus callosum volume (r=0.69). Higher lifetime total energy expenditure was associated with improved markers of myelin and axonal loss in the hippocampus and corpus callosum (p<0.05). Current moderate to vigorous physical activity was positively and significantly (p<0.05) associated with thalamus (r=0.37), hippocampus (r=0.39), corpus callosum volume (r=0.45) and markers of axonal loss in the corpus callosum (r=0.75).
Conclusions: The current study provides new evidence for the positive association between physical activity and brain volume and the prevention of myelin and axonal loss in individuals with MS. The present findings support performing physical activity for more than 4 hours per week at various intensities, especially moderate to vigorous intensity, as a means to improve brain health in individuals with MS as a disease-modifying treatment.
 
 
 
Keywords
Lifetime physical activity
diffusion tensor imaging
magnetic resonance imaging
multiple sclerosis
Subjects
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  • Receive Date 09 March 2025
  • Revise Date 24 April 2025
  • Accept Date 21 May 2025
  • First Publish Date 21 May 2025
  • Publish Date 23 September 2025