Parkinson's disease progression can be slowed with vigorous exercise

[PDConscience]

"A team of researchers at Northwestern Medicine and the University of Colorado School of Medicine wanted to find out whether high- or moderate-intensity exercise was safe for patients with Parkinson’s disease. Would it help with the disease’s symptoms, the progressive loss of muscle control, tremors, stiffness?

"Five years later, those scientists have an answer: Yes.

"While prior studies have examined the effect of endurance exercise on motor symptoms, this one is the first to look at the effects of high-intensity regimens. Previously, some medical professionals believed rigorous exercise was too physically demanding for those with Parkinson’s disease, researchers said. And though another clinical trial is needed to conclusively establish the efficacy of such workouts on Parkinson’s disease, Corcos, who holds a doctorate in kinesiology, said improved blood flow to the brain because of exercise might explain the results.

"For Rogers, now 69, the results were pronounced: after a high-intensity workout, his tremors appeared to calm down. In the years since he began the workout regimen, the benefits have not changed, he said. He’s experienced no side effects either.

“'I can’t speak as a researcher or as an authority on this,' Rogers said, 'But the cumulative effect was that the tremor was less intense going forward. When I finished with a workout, the tremor would be under control, I wouldn’t be going crazy with it. And that would last 20 minutes, an hour.'"

"Symptoms of the disease did not change or improve significantly for most of those who took part in high-intensity exercise. Participants in the moderate-intensity exercise group saw their symptoms worsen by 7.5 percent, while researchers observed symptoms of those in the control group worsen by 15 percent."

"Corcos said he believes the exploratory study’s findings reinforce the notion that “exercise is medicine.” But, just like a pill, he said, consistency is critical to seeing and retaining benefits."

Source: chicagotribune.com/lifestyl...

[alexask]

The problem is tis difficult to engage in intense exercise without straining/ pulling some muscle. Still worth getting a (second hand if necessary) exercise bike and doing the necessary 45 minutes per day if you can.

As much and varied as you can too. And anything in a social setting is good.

[sunvox in reply to alexask]

The benefit of running on a treadmill vastly outweighs any risk of "pulling a muscle". I have been running since I was 14, and yes I have injured myself on occasion, but that is no reason for me to stop. I'm not sure how many studies people with PD need to read before folks begin to see that many, many PD patients could manage their symptoms with a healthy routine that includes diet, exercise, and supplements.

vimeo.com/191664871

[park_bear in reply to sunvox]

Good that it works for you, but running on a treadmill is not the only way to get an aerobic workout.

[sunvox]

Bravo for your staying power here! Don't you ever feel frustrated? Everyday folks post the same questions without taking the time to research thoughtful replies that individuals like yourself have placed on this site time and again.

Thanks for the link!

Here's the actual study:

jamanetwork.com/journals/ja...

[jrg54321]

Get out your heart rate straps! The polar strap that works on most treadmills is $30 on Amazon.

Polar T31 Non-Coded Transmitter and Belt Set amazon.com/dp/B000N4N4UG

[moonsake10]

The key word here is VIGOROUS .... but the chemical in my brain that knows how to do VIGOROUS is asleep at the wheel. Meanwhile I struggle with daily life skills and bi-weekly mild exercise (which I am reading in other studies 'although an overall benefit, light exercise has little or no effect effect/affect on PWP'. For me, a better benefit would be a supplement that turns our chemicals back ON.

[rebtar]

I haven't been able to find information on appropriate duration of intense exercise, how long each time would give this result?

[PDConscience in reply to rebtar]

That's the most annoying thing about some of these studies - the critical details they leave out. Neither the PubMed nor JAMA abstracts include the exact 'intervention' design (eg. HIIT for fixed period, or 10 second sprint 3x p/wk???) nor clues as to a the duration applied. The JAMA site offered 'free access' to the 'full text' of the study by joining, then that too failed to work... arrrggh.

[rebtar in reply to PDConscience]

As I understand it, it's treadmill. I just wrote Dr. Corcos to see if he will share this information. If I hear back I will post.

[alexask in reply to rebtar]

Pretty much most of the studies I have read state 45 minutes of vigorous exercise should be enough. I have read 5 days a week, but I think every other day would be good enough.

[Mike1942]

I have always believed that extreme exercise coupled with sports physiotherapy was the way to control my PD. But I would caution any of you getting onto a treadmill . I can run 5or 10 k any day but the treadmill is a no go area. I fall off. But I am no expert and have no medical qualifications so please check with your Dr or of nurse before getting on a treadmill. But my ideas are now proving correct.

[Ferret123]

Yes, but what was the physiological component that triggered the responses seen in these test subjects. Find that and it may lead to something that may be introduced into the body without exercise and even to far greater degrees than possible with excercise. Nitric Oxide release may be a good starting point. Also, Dr. Mercola released a movie demonstrating a 3 minute high intensity exercise that vastly increases the release of NO.

[PDConscience in reply to Ferret123]

Ahhh... if only the bod's biochemistry were so simple. A 3-min. high intensity exercise vastly increases the release of sweat as well... maybe we need to sweat more(?). Current consensus points to the known/proven benefits of the neurotrophic factors generated through vigorous activity (i.e. BDNF, GDNF).

[*Despite the frequent claims of our resident quack, however, benefits derived will NOT enable one to "Reverse Parkinson's Disease"]

[rebtar]

I posted separately, but will post here as well in case some who are interested missed it. I emailed Dr. Corcos about his study design. The subjects who did not progress exercised at leasr 30 minutes at least 3 times per week. The exercise was continuous, not interval. The study was using treadmills but he says any exercise that can raise heartrate to 80-85% % of max is good, so bikes, running, etc. all OK. Don't forget warm up and cool down!