Exploring the Impact of Exercise and Essential Amino Acid plus Cholecalciferol Supplementation on Physical Fitness and Body Composition in Multiple Sclerosis: A Case Study

Background: multiple sclerosis (MS) is associated with reduced bone and muscle strength and function. We aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a 24-week intervention in a 57-year-old frail female with MS.

Methods: the participant completed a 2x/week exercise intervention and ingested 2x/day a supplement containing 7.5 g essential amino acids and 500IU cholecalciferol. Body composition, 6-m gait speed (GS), handgrip strength (HGS), 30-sec arm-curl test (30ACT), 6-min walking test (6MWT), 30-sec chair-stand test (30CST), and plasma concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 [25(OH)D3], insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), and amino acids were assessed at baseline, and at weeks 12 and 24.

Results: plasma 25(OH)D3 increased from 23.2 to 41.3ng/mL and IGF-1 from 131.6 to 140.7ng/mL from baseline to post-intervention. BMI, total lean tissue mass (LTM), fat mass, bone mineral content, and the sum of 17 amino acids increased by 3.8, 1.0, 3.5, 0.2, and 19% respectively at week 24. There were clinically significant increases in regional LTM (6.9% arms and 6.3% legs) and large increases in GS (67.3%), dominant HGS (31.5%), non-dominant HGS (11.8%), dominant 30ACT (100%), non-dominant 30ACT (116.7%), 6MWT (125.6%), and 30CST (44.4%).

Conclusions: the current intervention was effective in improving components of physical fitness and body composition in a female with MS.