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Introduction to MS: An Online Course for Fitness & Wellness Professionals

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In this article

Overview

The National MS Society supports the overall health of people with MS at all levels of ability. We encourage health-promoting behaviors that will enhance physical fitness, increase quality of life, and potentially have a positive impact on the MS disease process and symptoms. This course is a resource for fitness and wellness professionals, including personal trainers, group fitness instructors, yoga teachers, aquatics instructors and other professionals who want to learn more about MS. It provides an overview of the disease and offers specific strategies for working with a diverse MS population. 

This training was developed to reflect the National MS Society's paper, Exercise and lifestyle physical activity recommendations for people with multiple sclerosis throughout the disease course (Multiple Sclerosis Journal, 2020). We encourage you to review this paper prior to the training as it is referenced throughout. 

If you have questions about this training, please email our healthcare professional inbox at healthprof_info@nmss.org.

Learning objectives

Providing safe, effective and enjoyable exercise and lifestyle physical activity instruction to support the wellbeing of people living with MS starts with understanding the needs and special considerations of MS.
 
After completion of this course, participants will be able to:
  • describe basic facts about MS;
  • understand wellness, exercise and lifestyle physical activity in MS;
  • identify MS symptoms that affect movement and levels of ability;
  • consider ways to modify movement, exercise and exercise classes to accommodate the functional issues and concerns presented by a person with MS;
  • interact more comfortably with people with disabilities;
  • describe barriers and facilitators to exercise and lifestyle physical activity in people with MS.

Resources for clients

Course structure

  • At your own pace, view the introduction and modules 1-4 in order, as content for each builds on the material presented in previous modules.
  • Review all of the materials in each module, including information, videos and links to additional materials. You may leave and return to the course as you like.
  • There is a short survey and test at the end of the course. Upon passing, you will be able to print a certificate indicating that you took the course. If you do not pass, you may take the test again.
  • The duration of the course is approximately 2 hours. This includes time for viewing each video and reviewing additional resources.

Introduction and modules 1-4

Introduction

Presenters:
Hope Nearhood, MPH, PMP,
Sr. Manager, MS Information and Resources, National Multiple Sclerosis Society
Emily Reilly, CPT, Healthcare Access Engagement Manager, National Multiple Sclerosis Society

Additional Resources:
Exercise and lifestyle physical activity recommendations for people with multiple sclerosis throughout the disease course – Multiple Sclerosis Journal, 2020

Slides:
View the PowerPoint presentation here

Module 1: Multiple Sclerosis Disease Overview

Presenter:
Hope Nearhood, MPH, PMP, 
Sr. Manager, MS Information and Resources, National Multiple Sclerosis Society

Additional Resources: Slides:
View the PowerPoint presentation here

Module 2: Levels of Ability and Wellness in MS

Presenters:
Hope Nearhood, MPH, PMP,
Sr. Manager, MS Information and Resources, National Multiple Sclerosis Society
Emily Reilly, CPT, Healthcare Access Engagement Manager, National Multiple Sclerosis Society

Additional Resources: Slides:
View the PowerPoint presentation here

Module 3: Exercise and Lifestyle Physical Activity in MS

Presenter:
Emily Reilly, CPT, Healthcare Access Engagement Manager, National Multiple Sclerosis Society

Additional Resources: Slides:
View the PowerPoint presentation here

Module 4: Barriers and Facilitators to Exercise and Lifestyle Physical Activity

Presenters:
Hope Nearhood, MPH, PMP, 
Sr. Manager, MS Information and Resources, National Multiple Sclerosis Society
Emily Reilly, CPT, Healthcare Access Engagement Manager, National Multiple Sclerosis Society

Take the survey and test here. A certificate of completion will be provided at the end of the survey and test.

Additional Resources: Slides:
View the PowerPoint presentation here

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© 2024 The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is a tax exempt 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Its Identification Number (EIN) is 13-5661935.