Exercise helps, but how?

[Esperanto]

A group of German researchers looked for the answer to that question in the scientific literature. They found 156 studies on this subject, with a total of data from just under 8000 people. The Dutch Parkinson's Association summarised the result:

“Many forms of exercise can reduce movement complaints in people with Parkinson's disease and improve the quality of life. Exactly which shape you choose is probably of less importance. The forms of movement are sufficiently safe. The question is whether (a lot of) exercise also helps to reduce the chance of the onset of the disease or to slow its progress. That question is not asked in this study, and therefore remains unanswered. Coincidentally, another recent study will consider this in an overview of 49 studies. Unfortunately, this does not provide convincing evidence that exercise prevents or slows Parkinson's disease. There is only limited evidence that exercise has a weakening effect on possible markers of disease progress.”

Sources:

Ernst e.a. Physical exercise for people with Parkinson’s disease: a systematic review and network meta‐analysis, cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/do...

JA e.a. Does Exercise Attenuate Disease Progression in People With Parkinson's Disease? A Systematic Review With Meta-Analyses, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/371...

[JohnPepper]

I have had PD since at least 1992 and have done a lot of fast walking ever since. I am now 88 and still walking, but not as much. This proves to me that fast walking slows down the progression of PD. My Pd is no worse now than it was then, so, we should all be doing FAST WALKING!

[kaypeeoh in reply to JohnPepper]

IF you have PD and enjoy exercise then it might stimulate dopamine production. IF you hate exercise then it probably doesn't do anything positive.

[Esperanto in reply to kaypeeoh]

Probably this observation applies to most of our therapies. The so-called success of some mono-therapies seems largely based on that. Belief in the approach, pleasure at the execution and passionate about messaging helps and not only John. Perhaps it’s why so many regular correspondents can be found on HU. For their daily dopamine boost. 💉

[JohnPepper in reply to kaypeeoh]

I don't care whether I hate fast walking or not, I will carry on doing it until I can no longer walk. Who cares what you like? If you are told to take medicine, even if you don't like it, you take it! Fast walking is exercise for PD, so, If you want to overcome PD then do the walking, whether you like it or not!

[Esperanto in reply to JohnPepper]

'Who cares what you like?' I care! Because the chance that I will find the panacea is nil given the statistics, while my life expectancy is estimated a bit shorter, I try to carefully select my PD repair kit without causing too much damage to my life motto 'live with pleasure'. As the research shows, it doesn't matter much within the different training groups which branch you choose. However, there is some difference between the main groups. In that respect, it is better to choose an Aqua-based training because this probably has a larger beneficial effect on quality of life.

Fast walking does work for you and that's probably why you like it. Plus, it has become your life mission. That's wonderful for you. With others it doesn't work or only a bit, like with me. My dog and I have the most fun doing a challenging hike in the woods, as soon as we are back on the road I also do my fast walking exercise, every other day as it should be. The dog still doesn't understand what the hell I'm doing….

From experience I know that the hikes yield more than fast walking for me. At every step you have to think about how to put your feet down, it is particularly intensive in hilly area and constantly you have to orient yourself, you walk anti-stress in a beautiful nature. In short, I fully enjoy. The evidence has been provided again in the past period. I’m hiking alone in Spain for 2 weeks. Due to stress-related problems and neuropathy vicissitudes the first days were disastrous. I could barely walk anymore! Despite the disillusionment, I enjoyed the environment, the warm weather, the atmosphere, the delicious food and above all being able to go my own way, that I slowly got in shape. After a few days I was able to make beautiful hikes again, not without pain, but the joy that I walked again worked wonders. Enfin, today I have the bus for the mountains to try to realize the 'highlight' of the trip according to plan.

Your claim 'If you are told to take medicine, even if you don't like it, you take it!' really isn't right for me. With the medicines I am prescribed next to my beloved C/L, but which are now unused in the closet especially the ones for neuropathy, you can fill a small pharmacy. The alleged or often self-identified side effects ensure this.

[JohnPepper in reply to Esperanto]

I am pleased for you that you enjoy walking, especially in interesting places. Keep it up. My daughter and my grandson are walking the Camino and are loving it. She is 62 and he is 40. They have always got on well with each other byut this has bonded them incredibly close. I love them both!

[JohnPepper in reply to Esperanto]

Well Don! Very well done. My daughter and grandson are doing some annual walk in Spain an are loving it.

[Stillstandingstill]

There is this. I find Professor Bloem's positive work on exercise and PD enough to keep me moving and hoping.

davisphinneyfoundation.org/...

[Esperanto]

The link to the full text of the study was no longer valid. I was able to find another free version anyway.

[JohnPepper]

The video is a bit long but it has alll the info on Exercise.

The Mayo Clinic Studies:

healthunlocked.com/cure-par...

The Annals of Neurology

onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi...