Effect of Eight –Weeks of Resistance Training on Serum Levels of Neurofilament Light Chain and Tau Protein in Women with Multiple Sclerosis

Background and objectives: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating and neurodegenerative disease of the centralnervous system that can be tracked through biomarkers of disease status. The present study aimed to examine effect of eight weeks of resistance training on serum levels of neurofilament light chain and tau protein in women with multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods: The study population consisted of 24 women with MS (aged 25 to 40 years) in Bojnourd (Iran) with expanded disability status scale score of 2-5. Patients were randomly divided into two groups of resistance training (n=12) and control (n=12). The training group performed 45-60 minutes of resistance training, three sessions a week for eight weeks. The control group did not partake in sports activity. Blood samples were taken 24 hours before the first session and 48 hours after the last training session. Analysis of covariance was used to analyze data at a significance level of 0.05. Results: The eight-week resistance training intervention significantly decreased serum level of tau protein but had no significant effect on serum level of neurofilamet light chain. Conclusion: According to the research results, eight weeks of resistance training could have favorable effects on serum level of tau protein in MS patients.