As many readers will be aware, the benefits of exercise are almost universal. Not just for people with Parkinson’s, but for the general population. But a little less well-known are the precise effects of exercise — do they just make you a little less stiff? Or are the effects more extensive?
We would welcome your input so please take a few minutes (and it does only take a few minutes) to give us your thoughts on exercise. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a couch potato or if you run marathons , we want to hear from you.
Written by
JonStamford
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Im 4 years in to pd and find it invaluable, physio exercises, walking, little bit of running, exercise bike, john colemans book exercises, weights, stretches, yoga, pilates...that diet, supplements, positive thinking invaluable.
Latest benefit for me is deep tissue massage...gets at all the blocked muscles that most pd sufferers have been tensing up through emotional suffering through the years.
I was a keen walker for years and I liked my Exercise Cds but since I took PD my legs won't hold me up. I find it very hard to stand long enough as the pain in my legs are so sore.
Up to a few years ago I walked every day about 4 to 5 miles but gradually I found it more difficult to do. I get so much pleasure from walking living very rural, but now a few hundred yards is my limit. The mind is willing but the body not so.
As for exercise bikes and all that one needs rooms to put them in.
I feel better when I can exercise.When my meds are working I go to an exercise class where they use a video called Walk Away the Pounds by Leslie Sansone.I love to line dance and do that when I can. The important thing is do what you can to keep moving.
I began my exercise with Leslie's video. I have several others of hers also. My neighbor comes over regularly and we do it together. (Easy to talk while exercising.)
I also have an XBox connect. Love using the XBox.. At first, I wasn't sure I would be able to do what they ask. I have kept trying, believing that I would never do well but knowing it was really helping me. Yesterday I scored over 1,000 pts on one of the gym games. I am doing exercises now that I never thought my body would do. I like the fact that it lets me know how well I am doing, any progress I have made and what I need to correct to do better. The XBox can even be used for a DVD player.
When I don't exercise, I can really feel the difference! I encourage myself to exercise by reminding myself that I don't want to take more meds (mainly because of side effects) and I like walking "normally" (normal for someone with PD).
Neither of these requires much room.
I have an elliptical machine that my husband and I use. I don't use it very often, but once in awhile it is helpful if I don't have a lot of time and my legs need exercise.
There are SO MANY benefits of exercise for PD, other ailments and for EVERYONE in general. As a physician, I will list my favorite benefits.
1. the release of endorphins with aerobic-type exercise may result in (depending on the person of course): contentment, energy, happiness, improvement in anxiety and depression symptoms.
2. Muscle tone with both anaerobic and aerobic exercise, which has been shown to increase your ability to get through a major health crisis +/- hospitalization such as pneumonia, sepsis, hip fracture, etc. Even a small increase in muscle bulk and tone can help you avoid complications including death.
3. Stretching (which I do daily whether I follow it up with exercise or not) is SO important in avoiding injuries while exercising or from falls. And, as we become less mobile from PD, stretching can help avoid contractures or ligament/tendon strain, sprain, tears. Plus, it really feels good!
4. Aerobic exercise helps avoid other diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Or can reverse disease in some cases, particularly if exercise leads to weight reduction - like diabetes and high blood pressure. This may not be possible if genetics is playing a strong role, but exercise helps avoid or delay the awful complications of disease including death.
5. As mentioned in #1, exercise is huge in managing symptoms of depression, melancholy, anxiety, stress, etc. And can be a means of socializing if you exercise in a group or with friends. Exercise almost universally boosts our confidence, makes us feel strong, more capable, more attractive, more hopeful, more health, and on and on.
These are just some of the benefits of exercise. This is clearly an important issue for me as a physician, but also as a PD patient. Hope this is helpful. (:
It's like oxygen for me-- must have exercise to thrive. The day before my DBS in June, I jogged 4 miles-- it's been a slow return to jogging -- with DBS, I've picked up balance issues I didn't have before--- yet, I can do so many more other things now that I!d had to cease. For example, I bought a new pair of running shoes yesterday--and--I could lace them by myself. Not giving up-- exercise keeps me going-- former marathon runner
I work with David Zid in Columbus Ohio and I can tell you from personal experience that exercise really can help those of us with pd . I was diagnosed 5 years ago and still don't have any tremors or outward signs of the disease. I credit it to the exercise program, I have been attending for the past 3 years.
I am 63 and have 50% plaque in two of my main arteries and 25% in the third. This was diagnosed 2 years ago and since I have lost 3 stone. Built up to running 5 miles 3 X a week and 3 Aerobics classes weekly and Pilates twice weekly. I'm wondering if this is right/usual. I love it but always hurt - my hips and legs mostly. Am I doing too much for my age or should I expect achey legs and hips?
I'm 58, diagnosed 7 months ago with PD. I have minimal symptoms but have undertaken a routine of run/walk 4.5 miles 3x per week, weights 1-2x per week and am starting punching bag boxing 2x per week. I don't find any of this fun....but always feel better, especially the day after a hard workout. I suggest for you to take a long term approach with your exercise...doing things in a way that you will be able to continue...in my case I power walk the first 3 miles and run/walk the last 1.5 miles at a faster pace. I reason that this is less wear on my joints and still gives me benefits...
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I am doing exercises now that I never thought my body would do. I like the fact that it lets me know how well I am doing, any progress I have made and what I need to correct to do better. The XBox can even be used for a DVD player. 
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