Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a neurological disease that results in motor impairments that are apparent during movement. This dissertation explores the alteration in the gait pattern of patients with MS compared to healthy controls in order to detect specific neuromuscular alterations in the movement pattern. The biomechanical gait analysis performed on the patients with MS reveal specific deficits in joint torques and powers at the ankle, knee, and hip during normal, self-selected pace walking. Definition of these deficits represents the first biomechanical evaluation of gait in patients with MS which may be used to help direct patient treatment and rehabilitation protocols.

Because fatigue is one the most frequently reported symptoms in patients with MS, this dissertation also explores the relationship between the gait pattern alteration and reported fatigue in patients with MS. It was shown that different fatigue and quality of life questionnaires are significantly related to different events in the gait cycle. In this way, symptoms of fatigue may be attributed to specific movement impairments where treatment of those movement impairments may also decrease fatigue in patients with MS.

In order to improve the gait deficits outlined in patients with MS and to improve fatigue reports, a new exercise modality for patients with MS was introduced and evaluated. Elliptical exercise training was employed for six weeks in order to improve the joint torque and power deficits seen in patients with MS. After training, biomechanical gait evaluation showed improvement in joint mechanics at the ankle and hip which supports the use of elliptical exercise training as a rehabilitation tool for patients with MS. In addition, elliptical exercise training caused significant improvement in fatigue ratings and in quality of life rating. Overall these results indicate that use of elliptical exercise over a relatively short period of time significantly benefits patients with MS.