MS ActiveNOW Exercise Resources
In this section you will find resources developed for the MS ActiveNOW initiative to assist individuals living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) to maintain or become physical active. In addition, resources can be found to assist fitness & lifestyle industry professionals along with health professionals.
Training Logs for Persons with MS
These training logs are designed to allow a person with MS or for that matter any other disability to track their activity level during the course of an exercise session or program of physical activity. In addition the two versions of training logs provided are specific to areas of concern a person with MS may be interested in (i.e., pain and fatigue). By keeping track of daily exercise or physical activity as well as one's fatigue or pain associated with activity will allow a person to adjust their routine, time, and intensity to minimize the occurrence of MS symptoms, fatigue, and pain.
So, why should a person with MS consider using a training log?
- It allows for self-tracking of individual progress, thus allowing for changes to programs. Changes can serve as a means to stay interested.
- It acts as a motivational tool. By seeing gains and progress it will offer more motivation to keep being active. The success we feel and see keeps us going!
- It helps to set personal goals around exercise and wellness.
- It provides structure to an exercise routine, by tracking what has been done and what is left to do.
- It helps a person to determine what is best and in turn a person will have a more active, engaged and committed role in their own program.
- It will provide helpful information to the people that are involved in helping to improve and maintain overall wellness and quality of life (i.e., personal trainers, doctors)
- It will provide a more holistic picture of exercise and activity in a person’s life.
- 4 Week Training Log (Fatigue Scale)
- 4 Week Training Log (Pain Scale)
- What is PAIN?
- Why Should You Use a Training Log?
Activating Your Life: A guide to exercise for persons with multiple sclerosis
This book is intended for persons living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) who want to exercise and/or become more active within their life. It is also a great resource for those who are already active and looking for further information on exercise and MS. The handbook details information on the benefits of exercise, the risks of inactivity, the FITT principle in relation to persons with MS, benefits of specific types of exercises, and special considerations while exercising.
Adopting and Maintaining an Active Lifestyle: A Guide for Persons Living with Multiple Sclerosis
In the past, many people with disabilities, including persons with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), avoided using fitness and recreation facilities for a number of reasons or barriers. These barriers include but are not limited to physically inaccessible facilities and exercise equipment, economic barriers, under-trained staff, informational barriers, and limited resources. This guide provides some ideas and/or strategies on overcoming or removing obstacles that you may face or experience in becoming active.
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Exercise and MS - A Brief Review
This brief four page document is intended for fitness & lifestyle providers and provides information in a condensed format on exercise and Multiple Sclerosis (MS). More specifically, it covers information on what is MS, benefits of exercise, risks of physical inactivity, guidelines for exercising, types of activities and exercise that are beneficial for persons with MS, and basic strategies for adapting.
Understanding MS and Exercise: A Fitness and Lifestyle Providers Guide 
This book is intended for fitness and lifestyle providers (i.e., personal trainers, yoga instructors, fitness centres, etc.) as a tool to understand and learn about Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and the benefits of regular exercise and daily physical activity. The book details information on the benefits of exercise, the risks of physical inactive, the demonstrated benefits of exercises, exercise prescription and special considerations for exercising.
Overcoming the Barriers: A Fitness Professionals Guide to Removing Fitness Facility Barriers for Persons with Multiple Sclerosis
This guide provides fitness and lifestyle professionals along with fitness and recreation facilities with key information on overcoming or removing the barriers to participation that persons with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) or persons with disabilities may experience. Within it you will find information on general barriers to participation, how to determine if a facility is accessible, guidelines for universal design and selecting equipment, as well as strategies for creating a welcoming facility.
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A Health Professionals Guide to Understanding Exercise and Multiple Sclerosis
This handbook is intended for health professionals (i.e., doctors, nurses, MS neurologists, etc.) it provides a review of literature on exercise and Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Within the review it discusses the physiological and functional limitations of individuals with MS and how these factors may impact participation in exercise or physical activity. In addition, it also reviews the beneficial effects of exercise in regards to MS symptoms as well as in the prevention of other chronic diseases. Guidelines for exercise testing and prescription in MS and special considerations provided.
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For further information please email: active@mssociety.ca
