Project directors: Dr. Nick Stergiou and Jessie Huisinga, MS

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the central nervous system that affects approximately 400,000 Americans and is the most common progressive neurological disease in young adults. The disease generally attacks the myelin sheath that covers nerve cells. As a result, people with MS have inconsistent movement patterns, poor balance, and a long list of possible other problems. It is currently not known what effect many exercise interventions may have on the disease state of MS patients. The goal of the current study is to analyze the walking and balance capabilities of persons with MS before and after different exercise training programs which seek to strengthen the neuromuscular system.

These studies are funded by the MARS Foundation, the American Society of Biomechanics, and NASA. Clinical support Dr. Mary Filipi, PhD of the UNMC College of Nursing. Dr. Filipi is also one of the primary investigators. Graduate student Jessie Huisinga, M.S. is currently facilitating the motion analysis portions of these studies. Jessie received her BS in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Iowa, her MS in Exercise Science from UNO, and is pursuing her doctorate through the MSIA program at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.