People with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) retain the capacity for downslope walking (DSW)-induced short-term spinal reflex modulation previously found in healthy adults. This according to a recent study that tested the hypothesis that DSW will cause acute depression of spinal excitability in PwMS. Soleus H-reflexes were measured in PwMS (n=18) before and after 20 minutes of treadmill walking during 3 visits. Participants walked on a different slope each visit [level: 0% (LW), upslope: +7.5% (USW) or downslope: -7.5% (DSW)]. The soleus Hmax/Mmax ratio was used to measure spinal excitability. Heart rate and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured during walking. Researchers found:

• DSW induced the largest change in spinal excitability (a 26.7% reduction in soleus Hmax/Mmax), although LW also reduced Hmax/Mmax (-5.3%).
• Heart rate was lowest for DSW, and RPE for DSW did not exceed “fairly light.”
• DSW evokes short-term spinal plasticity in PwMS, while requiring no greater effort than LW.