Parkinson’s disease and exercise

Exercising with Parkinson’s disease may seem daunting and scary… we are here to show how achievable and beneficial it can be! Exercise is an incredibly valuable tool in the management of Parkinson’s and should be prioritised at every stage. Below we will outline a few of the key reasons why, plus some specific recommendations to keep in mind when exercising with Parkinson’s.

Symptoms and Features

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder, resulting from a disruption in dopamine production from a specific part of the brain called the ‘substantia nigra’. Dopamine plays an important role in coordinating physical movement and behavioural functions.

Common motor symptoms resulting from Parkinson’s include bradykinesia (slow movement), tremor and rigidity. In addition to other potential physical features such as gait disturbances, muscle weakness and pain.

This is where exercise comes in… as exercise has consistently been shown to improve, or prevent regression, of those symptoms and physical features.

How does exercise help?

Regular exercise can have a neuro-protective effect on the brain and nervous system, whereby the brain can send and receive signals more efficiently. Specific to Parkinson’s, research has shown that dopamine can be used more efficiently in those who regularly exercised.

Exercise can also improve common physical symptoms, such as bradykinesia, by increasing muscle strength, power and mobility. Different types of exercise offer varied benefits, for example;

  • Cardiovascular exercise is recommended for the neuro-protective benefits
  • Co-ordination tasks and mobility for muscle rigidity
  • Resistance training for muscular strength and function
  • Balance training for reducing falls risk

Further to the range of physical benefits, consistent exercise can have significant benefits on cognitive functions, including improved processing speed, attention and executive function. Not to mention the positive impact on mood that we know exercise provides!

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Exercise Recommendations

Each individual with Parkinson’s can present with different symptoms, therefore an exercise program should be tailored to each person and their goals. Some guidelines which can be used as a framework include;

  • Aim for a minimum of 2.5hrs of exercise per week
  • Higher intensities of cardiovascular or resistance exercise are typically associated with improved outcomes
  • Include a combination of resistance, cardiovascular, balance and co-ordination exercises
  • Incorporate dual-task exercises (two movements at once) OR combine physical and cognitive tasks for an extra challenge