The Effect of Combined Aerobic and Resistance Interval Training on Calprotectin, Inflammatory Cytokines, Motor Function, and Quality of Life in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Document Type : Research Paper I Open Access I Released under (CC BY-NC 4.0) license

Authors

1 Assistant Professor of department of Physical Education, Birjand Branch, Islamic Azad University, Birjand, Iran

2 Assistant Professore in Exercise Physiology, Department of Sport Sciences, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Zabol, Zabol, IRAN

3 Master of Science, Department of Physical Education, Birjand Branch, Islamic Azad University of Birjand, Birjand, Iran.

Abstract

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.
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.
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.

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Journal of Applied Health Studies in Sport Physiology
Volume 13, Issue 2
September 2026

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History

  • Receive Date: 03 June 2025
  • Revise Date: 26 October 2025
  • Accept Date: 27 October 2025

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