Aspects of fatigue in multiple sclerosis during manual wheelchair propulsion

Fatigue is a major concern for individuals with multiple sclerosis as it interferes with daily tasks. This study compared the fatigue experienced by nine individuals with MS to nine unimpaired controls while completing a five-minute trial of continuous wheelchair propulsion. Fatigue was quantified via changes in resultant pushrim force, rate of force rise, force efficiency, axle moment and mean power frequency of the shoulder muscles. Results show a drop in the rate of rise of pushrim force that may be related to fatigue of the biceps brachii. However, given the lack of more conclusive findings and verbal reports of extreme fatigue from case subject at the end of the trial, future consideration of fatigue in MS may need to take a central versus peripheral perspective.