A majority of French people think that physical activity is beneficial for people with multiple sclerosis. Two to three sessions per week are recommended.
- 100,000 people suffer from multiple sclerosis in France.
- Every year, 3,000 to 5,000 new cases of MS are diagnosed.
- In two out of three cases, the patient is female.
- 80% of people with MS do not participate in physical activity.
Associating multiple sclerosis and sport may seem contradictory. Wrongly. Regular physical activity is recommended for people who suffer from this chronic autoimmune disease. What a large part of the French do not know, in view of the survey carried out by Ipsos on the occasion of World MS Day (1).
The received ideas persist within the French population. Only a small half of those polled believe that physical activity can limit the progression of multiple sclerosis – which progresses into flare-ups.
A recommended exercise
Regular exercise has the potential to improve the lives of patients. Pain and fatigue are a heavy burden for them. The practice of an adapted activity helps them in this regard.
“Studies have shown the benefits of physical exercise on balance, walking, cardiovascular and exercise conditioning disorders”, explains Dr Cécile Donzé, head of the physical medicine and rehabilitation service. functional at Saint-Philibert Lomme hospital (Lille). This improves well-being and general health, as well as fatigue. These benefits, 70% of the people questioned recognize them.
Adapted courses
The recommendations are clear: patients with MS are encouraged to practice an activity two to three times a week. But one question remains in the minds of those surveyed: which one? For 54% of them, the establishment of appropriate structures is necessary. But almost as many believe that this type of service can be done with able-bodied people.
Physical activity must be more accessible, say the respondents. They are a majority to set two priority caps to achieve this. First, train sports professionals in chronic diseases. Then, offer adapted courses in a care establishment. This seems all the more possible since these services are already offered in other pathologies.
No funding
As for the sports to be privileged, the French rather plead for soft approaches. Swimming, walking or even gym are to be preferred. They are partly right. More violent sports must be adapted to pathologies.
At a time when prescription sport is officially launched, respondents are hesitant about taking charge of this physical activity. 55% admit not knowing if funding is possible. Currently, exercise is not considered to be treatment. The patient must therefore pay out of his own pocket.
(1) Survey carried out by the Ipsos institute for Merck among 1,000 people representing the French population.
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