Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University Journal of Applied Health Studies in Sport Physiology 2676-6507 2025 10 28 The Effect of Combined Aerobic and Resistance Interval Training on Calprotectin, Inflammatory Cytokines, Motor Function, and Quality of Life in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis The Effect of Combined Aerobic and Resistance Interval Training on Calprotectin, Inflammatory Cytokines, Motor Function, and Quality of Life in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis 15036 10.22049/jahssp.2025.30690.1761 FA Kazem Cheraghbirjand Assistant Professor of department of Physical Education, Birjand Branch, Islamic Azad University, Birjand, Iran Elham Ghasemi Assistant Professore in Exercise Physiology, Department of Sport Sciences, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Zabol, Zabol, IRAN Zeynab Hamdanipur Master of Science, Department of Physical Education, Birjand Branch, Islamic Azad University of Birjand, Birjand, Iran. Tahereh Rahdari Master of Science, Department of Physical Education, Birjand Branch, Islamic Azad University of Birjand, Birjand, Iran. Journal Article 2025 06 03 Background& purpose: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system characterized by both motor and cognitive impairments. This study aimed to investigate the effects of an eight-week combined training program on serum calprotectin, inflammatory cytokines, motor function, and quality of life in women with MS.<br />Methods: In this semi-experimental study, forty women with MS (mean age: 31.11 ± 6.97 years) were selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to either a training or control group. The intervention group participated in an eight-week combined training program, consisting of two resistance sessions and one aerobic session per week. Serum levels of calprotectin, interleukin-17 (IL-17), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were measured using ELISA. Fatigue severity and quality of life were assessed using the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) and the Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life-54 (MSQOL-54) questionnaire, respectively. Motor performance was evaluated using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test and the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT). Data were analyzed using paired and independent t-tests and Pearson correlation. <br />Results: After the eight-week intervention, the training group showed significant reductions in serum levels of calprotectin (p = 0.001), IL-17 (p = 0.01), TNF-α (p = 0.01), TUG time (p = 0.01), and FSS score (p = 0.001). In contrast, serum IL-10 levels (p = 0.02), 6MWT distance (p = 0.001), and quality of life scores (p = 0.001) significantly increased. Moreover, quality of life was positively correlated with 6MWT distance (p = 0.01), and inversely correlated with FSS scores (p = 0.01) and calprotectin levels (p = 0.01). Conclusion: Combined endurance and resistance training may effectively reduce inflammatory cytokines and fatigue while improving motor function and quality of life in patients with MS. Background& purpose: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system characterized by both motor and cognitive impairments. This study aimed to investigate the effects of an eight-week combined training program on serum calprotectin, inflammatory cytokines, motor function, and quality of life in women with MS.<br />Methods: In this semi-experimental study, forty women with MS (mean age: 31.11 ± 6.97 years) were selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to either a training or control group. The intervention group participated in an eight-week combined training program, consisting of two resistance sessions and one aerobic session per week. Serum levels of calprotectin, interleukin-17 (IL-17), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were measured using ELISA. Fatigue severity and quality of life were assessed using the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) and the Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life-54 (MSQOL-54) questionnaire, respectively. Motor performance was evaluated using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test and the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT). Data were analyzed using paired and independent t-tests and Pearson correlation. <br />Results: After the eight-week intervention, the training group showed significant reductions in serum levels of calprotectin (p = 0.001), IL-17 (p = 0.01), TNF-α (p = 0.01), TUG time (p = 0.01), and FSS score (p = 0.001). In contrast, serum IL-10 levels (p = 0.02), 6MWT distance (p = 0.001), and quality of life scores (p = 0.001) significantly increased. Moreover, quality of life was positively correlated with 6MWT distance (p = 0.01), and inversely correlated with FSS scores (p = 0.01) and calprotectin levels (p = 0.01). Conclusion: Combined endurance and resistance training may effectively reduce inflammatory cytokines and fatigue while improving motor function and quality of life in patients with MS. https://jahssp.azaruniv.ac.ir/article_15036_580105a5fef3a3afd4c7edf45debf084.pdf