AN ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS OF Louisa Summers for the degree ofDoctor ofPhilosophy in Human Performance presented on November 2, 1999. Title: The Effects ofResistance Exercise on Lower Extremity Power in Women with Multiple Sclerosis.

A common perspective promoted by health care professionals is that exercise may help reduce symptoms and improve activities of daily living among persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). Yet, the effects of resistance exercise on power, functional mobility, and fatigue are largely unknown. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of an eight-week resistance training program on lower extremity power, functional mobility, and daily levels of fatigue in women with MS. Twenty-nine women (M = 50.5 years ± 8.5 SD) with an average Expanded Disability Status Scale score of3.6 were stratified by disability level and age, and then randomized (n = 24) into the exercise (n = 16) and control group (n = 13). The exercise group participated in six exercise instructional sessions prior to the implementation of the eight-week home based exercise program. The lower extremity resistance training intervention was three times per week (for an hour) and consisted of functional exercises with weighted vests. Power was examined in Redacted for Privacy both legs using the Lower Extremity Power Rig (Bio-Med International), an