Background: People with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) frequently experience fatigue. High-intensity resistance training (HIRT) seems to be effective in reducing fatigue among PwMS.

Objective: To qualitatively describe experiences and perceived outcomes of PwMS who participated in a randomized controlled trial of HIRT, and their perceptions on maintenance of training in their everyday life.

Methods: Of 68 eligible participants, 17 PwMS (4 men, 13 women) were recruited through purposive sampling. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted via Zoom or Teams. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using qualitative content analysis.

Results: The theme "Feeling hopeful and empowered by exercise in a socially supportive setting" illustrated participants' overall experience. The theme was supported by the three categories: "Exercise in a safe and encouraging context", "Feeling confident in living with MS-fatigue", and "Challenging to maintain exercise habits", and seven subcategories. Participating in the HIRT trial was overall described as a positive and motivating experience. It provided a safe and encouraging environment. Most participants described reduced fatigue and an increase in their engagement in everyday life. Despite the overall positive perception of HIRT, participants encountered difficulties in sustaining their exercise routines over time.

Conclusion: Peer support from both individuals with MS and physiotherapists with MS competence were important factors to enhance engagement in the HIRT programme. The group setting provided a supportive and encouraging environment. In addition, the training seemed to be a tool to alleviate fatigue and facilitate partaking in everyday activities for most participants. However, ongoing support to maintain exercise habits in the long term may be needed.

Keywords: Fatigue; Multiple sclerosis; Qualitative research; Rehabilitation; Resistance training; Social support.

Copyright © 2025 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

背景: 多发性硬化症（PwMS）患者经常经历疲劳。高强度抗阻训练（HIRT）似乎在减轻PwMS患者的疲劳方面有效。

目的: 通过定性的方法描述参加HIRT随机对照试验的PwMS患者的经验和感知效果，以及他们在日常生活中维持训练的看法。

方法: 在68名符合条件的参与者中，通过目的抽样招募了17名PwMS（4名男性，13名女性）。个体半结构化访谈通过Zoom或Teams进行。访谈逐字转录，并使用定性内容分析法进行分析。

结果: “在社会支持的环境中通过锻炼感到充满希望和赋权”这一主题概括了参与者的总体体验。该主题由三个类别：“在安全和支持性的环境里锻炼”，“对与MS疲劳共存有信心” 和 “维持锻炼习惯具有挑战性”，以及七个子类别支撑。参加HIRT试验总体上被认为是一次积极和激励的经历，提供了一个安全和鼓励的环境。大多数参与者描述他们的疲劳减少，并且日常生活中的参与度增加。尽管对HIRT的整体感知是积极的，但参与者在长时间内保持锻炼常规方面遇到了困难。

结论: 来自MS患者和其他具有MS专业知识理疗师的同伴支持是增强他们在HIRT项目中参与程度的重要因素。群体环境提供了支持性和鼓励性的氛围。此外，训练似乎对大多数参与者缓解疲劳和参加日常活动有帮助工具。然而，在长期维持锻炼习惯方面可能需要持续的支持。

关键词: 疲劳；多发性硬化症；定性研究；康复；抗阻训练；社会支持。