I became involved in MS research through good fortune. I completed my Master’s degree in physiotherapy at Glasgow Caledonian University and was invited to apply for a PhD scholarship for allied healthcare clinicians supported through philanthropic funding bequeathed to the MS Society of NHS Ayrshire and Arran. The community exercise class I set up for people living with MS during my PhD (at the University of Glasgow) is still going today. That was ten years ago, and I’ve been lucky enough to continue my MS research at the University of Illinois and now at Murdoch University in Perth.

Exercise has been considered beneficial for persons with MS since the late 19th century, although, throughout history, there have been differing recommendations on rest versus exercise in MS management. The benefits of exercise in improving physical health, mental function and general quality of life are indisputable for persons with MS, and it is considered to be safe. It’s exciting that we now know these benefits are likely to offer possible neuroprotection of the nervous system. As with in stroke and Parkinson’s disease there are a growing number of studies indicating the neuroprotective role exercise plays in MS. In MS, exercise can decrease neurodegeneration, and have a positive effect at stimulating neuroplasticity whereby the neural system can modify its activity for positive outcomes. Of course, in relation to symptoms exercise can improve fatigue, walking, balance, strength and overall quality of life.

As a physiotherapist I am aware of the unique privilege we have to positively influence health choices of people with MS. I know that each interaction between clinician and patient is a unique teaching opportunity, for both parties. An important project for me over the next three years will involve educating clinicians on the benefits of exercise in MS, and to use long-established behavioural change theory to encourage patients with MS to meet the current exercise guidelines for persons with mild to moderate MS. These clinicians will then offer the exercise programme to their clients and patients via telehealth as part of the project.

My research program contributed to a policy change and shift in the clinical knowledge that i) exercise is the best lifelong defence against symptom progression and ii) health care providers are the best and most acceptable sources of information and promotion of exercise in MS. It has been used to develop MS exercise guidelines adopted by governments and MS organisation in Australia, Canada, Ireland, Serbia, the UK and the USA. My planned work over the next three years will encourage the adoption of these exercise guidelines by MS clinicians, and educate them to optimise delivery and education to long term adoption of exercise in persons with MS. This will lead to more people experiencing the lifelong benefits of exercise and reduce MS symptom burden and disease progression.