The neurological disorder restless leg syndrome involves unpleasant or painful sensations in the legs while resting. The individual usually has an uncontrollable urge to move his legs, which then alleviates the symptoms. Because moving the legs is necessary to relieve symptoms, restless leg syndrome is classified as a movement disorder. Certain types of exercise can help, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, or NINDS.
Significance
Restless leg syndrome can become debilitating when it regularly disrupts sleep. Most people with this condition have problems falling asleep and staying asleep, explains the NINDS. It can cause exhaustion and daytime fatigue, leading to difficulty at work and in personal relationships. People with restless leg syndrome may have memory problems, be unable to concentrate and have trouble with regular daily activities. Driving can become hazardous. These effects can result in depression.
Lifestyle Solutions
Certain lifestyle changes may decrease symptoms of restless leg syndrome. Reducing intake of caffeine and alcohol, quitting smoking or smoking less may reduce symptoms. The NINDS recommends maintaining regular sleep habits. In addition, a hot bath, applying a heating pad or ice pack or massaging the legs before bed may help. Moderate exercise also can help.
Research
A study conducted by Pennsylvania State University and published in the September-October 2006 issue of the "Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine" evaluated the effects of exercise on participants with restless leg syndrome. By six weeks, the exercise group experienced significant improvement compared with the control group. Symptom severity scores for the control group decreased less than 8 percent over six weeks, but the exercise group severity scores decreased by 39 percent.
Types
During the exercise intervention in the PSU study, participants performed lower body resistance exercises three times per week. Strength training exercises included horizontal leg press, leg extension, leg curl, hip adduction and abduction and seated rotary calf press. The participants did one set of eight to 12 repetitions of each activity for the first two weeks, then increased to two sets. Participants also walked on a treadmill for 30 minutes, including a 5-minute warm-up and cool-down.
Considerations
People with restless leg syndrome generally say that moderate exercise seems helpful, but that strenuous exercise sometimes worsens symptoms, according to the Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation. The PSU study comments that no compelling research supports the theory that light or moderate exercise is better than vigorous exercise for people with this condition. One study did suggest a connection between physical activity close to bedtime and a significantly increased risk of symptoms, while another found a link between lack of exercise and increased risk of symptoms.
