Exercise and how I believe it works for PWP - Cure Parkinson's

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Exercise and how I believe it works for PWP

Bailey_Texas profile image
22 Replies

1) Takes your mind off PD can't think about PD and work out at the same time.

2) As you grow stronger you require less effort to do things.

3) Your balance is better from strong core muscles.

4) Strong muscles react faster so you catch your self before you fall.

5) chemicals released during exercise give a feeling of well being.

please add any thing to this list

Thanks Bailey

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Bailey_Texas profile image
Bailey_Texas
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22 Replies
jeffreyn profile image
jeffreyn

I know that this is a bit specific, but I'll mention it anyway.

6) It has been established that medication and high-cadence cycling have a similar effect on motor connectivity in PD. [1]

[1] Beall E, Lowe M, Alberts JL, Frankemolle AM, Thota AK, Shah C, Phillips MD. 2013. The effect of forced-exercise therapy for Parkinson's disease on motor cortex functionality connectivity. Brain Connect 3:190-198

JohnPepper profile image
JohnPepper

Hi Bailey. You are quite right with everything. The one thing you missed out on is that some exercise produces GDNF in the brain, which repairs the damaged brain cells. What a bonnus!

John

Boyce3600 profile image
Boyce3600 in reply to JohnPepper

GDFN? Some exercises? Vcan u elaborate? Sorry, new to all this

Bailey_Texas profile image
Bailey_Texas in reply to Boyce3600

C GDNF (or glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor) is a 'growth factor' - a special protein that is naturally produced inside the brain and supports the survival of many types of brain cell, including the cells lost in Parkinson's.

Research studies have suggested that GDNF has the ability to encourage these cells to grow again and may be able to stop the progression of Parkinson's

aerobic exercise push to or pass your limit. Running ,fast walking, tandum biking with some one who can push you beyond your limits at a very fast cadence (rpm)

JohnPepper profile image
JohnPepper in reply to Boyce3600

Hi Boyce. GDNF is a protein produced in the brain. The name stands for Glial Derived Neurotrophic Factor. Glial cells are the brain cells which produce dopamine. The shortage of dopamine in the Substantia Nigra area of the brain is the cause of Pd. Neurotrophic means nerve or neuron repair. The name Glial Derived indicates that the GDNF is produced by the Glial cells. So the cells that are damaged by Pd produce a chemical that repairs those damaged brain cells. Obviously the cells that have been damaged don't produce the GDNF but the undamaged cells do.

Somewhere in the long distant past I read that 'High intensity Exercise' produces the most GDNF in the brain. I have been doing FAST WALKING for the past 22 years. I still walk for 1 hour, 3 times a week and at the age of 81 and I still manage to walk 21 kilometres a week. That for me is fast walking. When I was 65 years old. 16 years ago, I was able to walk 27 kilometres a week in those 3 hours.

After 6 years of doing the fast walking my level of symptoms had got so low that I was able to then live a normal life again and I have managed to keep it like that ever since then. There are times when I am unable to walk fast due to illness and/or injury but as long as I start the fast walking again as soon as possibe I maintain my current state of health.

I have not needed to take any Pd medication since 2002.

I hope this helps you.

John

Joanne_Joyce profile image
Joanne_Joyce

It is also great therapy for dyskinesia. If I don't do my morning bike workout my dyskinesia starts earlier in the day so I make sure I never miss it. When I do have dyskinesia, usually late afternoon or evening, another spin on my bike sometimes stops it completely. If I am too exhausted by then I do the workout on one of the less strenuous PD exercise videos and get relief.

Bandula profile image
Bandula

Please add to this list of 5, a healthy dose of PEACE OF MIND, it has done me wonders and 'am in need of least medication, my neurologist is more than happy to maintain the statusquo.

bandulaj.

Bailey_Texas profile image
Bailey_Texas

Here are the things that happen when you work out

popsugar.com/fitness/Hormon...

Ever wonder what is going on chemically in the body while you sweat it out at the gym? The euphoric feelings during and after exercise, as well as the muscle soreness that might just come a day later, don't just appear magically. Your body is made up of millions of chemical reactions, which result in different physical and mental feelings. Take a look at some of the top hormones and chemicals that are released when you workout.

Endorphins

These chemicals are released by your pituitary gland, which is located in the base of your brain. Endorphins make you feel exhilarated and happy and block any feelings of pain, so you can power through any discomfort caused by exercising. That's why people become addicted to strenuous forms of exercises and experience "runner's high."

Estrogen

Estrogen determines whether carbs or fat fuel the body during an intense exercise session. Women tend to burn fat for fuel, while men tend to burn carbs, because women have higher estrogen levels. When women undergo menopause, they usually experience some weight gain because of lowered estrogen levels.

Dopamine

Dopamine is a pleasure chemical. Studies have found that a brain with a dopamine receptor deficiency is more prone to weight gain, because eating quickly easily raises dopamine levels. Those with fewer receptors need more dopamine in the bloodstream (aka more food) to reach the same level of satisfaction as someone with a normal amount. This is even more reason to work out regularly to keep those dopamine levels up in order to keep overeating and weight gain at bay. Domamine is often associated with orgasms. Working out helps stimulate the production of dopamine, and increased levels of dopamine combined with core, quads, thighs, and pelvic muscle exercises may result in a "coregasm."

Growth Factors

Growth factors are the hormone-like compounds that work with satellite cells to help stimulate and regulate production of more muscle. Growth factors like hepatocyte, fibroblast, and insulin send signals to the satellite cells to move to the damaged muscle area, repair the damage following exercise, and regulate muscle mass growth, respectively.

Serotonin

A chemical responsible for happiness, restful sleep, and a healthy appetite, serotonin levels will increase if you work out regularly. Serotonin works with endorphins to make working out a pleasurable activity. In addition, more serotonin means more energy and clearer thinking.

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park_bear profile image
park_bear

When I start out on my daily hike and hill climb, sometimes the toes on my affected side are cramped and interfere with walking. I have to stop repeatedly and stretch them out. By the time I am done. over an hour later, they are no longer bothering me. I could speculate as to why, but what is most important to me is that it works.

Bailey_Texas profile image
Bailey_Texas in reply to park_bear

You are 100% right.

No need to qualify it measure it or to speculate about it (just do it).

stevie3 profile image
stevie3

I've had great results from using the exercise bike at the gym so I've ordered one for home. I will keep going to the gym because I love it and do a variety of exercises there, but if I have a bike at home, I can exercise everyday before work. My experience is that I get on the bike quite wobbly and climb off steady as a rock!

I am 75 and had PD for 7 years and I was coping well but recently I found

1) difficult in moving or turning in bed

2). Difficult to stand from chair and more difficult from sofas

3) I do drive but difficult to get out of the car

Can any one suggest what exercises to do and consult any physo or Osteo

Bailey_Texas profile image
Bailey_Texas in reply to

i suggest Crossfit to every one. It is a fun way to get into shape. and can be scaled for every one. I have been doing it for 17 months. It will help with every thing you do.

crossfitfch.com/wod

Go to this page and look at the wods (work out of the day) we do. I do them all except i reduce the weight or amount to my ability. Some times i do them RX (as prescribe) but not very often.

Today i did murf (in honor of ‎Memorial Day) ‬which is run 1 mile, 100 pull ups, 200 push ups, 300 squats, and run 1 more mile, i did it in 56 min 30 secs and then ran 3 more miles with the next group to encourage them. Where are you located. I will help you find a Crossfit Box (gym).

Vivante profile image
Vivante in reply to Bailey_Texas

With respect and not wishing to offend, I have looked at the website and am not happy with information. A person may have other medical conditions, in which case it can cause harm. Hand stands must be avoided by anyone with osteoporosis, eye/ear conditions , migraine/headaches. heart/high blood pressure, etc. I have taught people with Parkinson's disease and would not allow them to work in such a way. Bearing in mind the tremor that comes with the condition.

Unfortunately not enough information is provided regarding contraindications. The people who run the gym needs to do more research.

Re-osteoporosis, if a person has vertebral fractures, the arms should not be raised above the head, I could go on. We as teachers have a responsibility to ensure the safety of all those who attend our classes, if we fail them, we fail ourselves.

I have heard so much today the comment "duty of care". We must think on the words.

Bailey_Texas profile image
Bailey_Texas in reply to Vivante

"I have taught people with Parkinson's disease and would not allow them to work in such a way. "

Of course people with existing conditions should take cautions but not every one has them.

You need to become more informed about Parkies. We are not frail cripples we still have strong bones and muscles. And with help we can build and maintain strong healthy bodies. I can understand how you feel about protecting people. We do not need protecting we need incentive ,motivation ,mentors who have Parkinson's that have beat the odds. We need to be pushed to do more.

I am 10 years DX and do all the work outs listed on the site. Have been doing it for 16 months with no injuries.

Vivante profile image
Vivante in reply to Bailey_Texas

The last person I taught a few years ago, I encouraged to try working on the Cobra, she found it too painful, the tremor was too great, she could work on the baby cobra. She continued as long as she was able to come to the classes, but the tremors increased, she was unable to continue. She finally had to move to a flat, the last time I had information, she was using a wheelchair.

Boyce3600 profile image
Boyce3600 in reply to Bailey_Texas

Dallas area

Vivante profile image
Vivante in reply to

Comment has been made. I will go further. Please ensure the physio/osteo.

has a full understand of your condition, any other medical conditions, all medications and side effects.

To get out of the car, turn your body around fully, ensure there is space between the kerb and the car, just enough to ensure your feet touch the floor fully, use the handle which is there on the frame of the car, ease yourself up slowly. Step on to the kerb, pause for a moment or two, when you are ready, then you can continue.

Bailey_Texas profile image
Bailey_Texas in reply to Vivante

Every one knows how to get out of a car. I suspect they don't have the strength it requires and need to build that strength. It is simple to do.

Doing squats ,sitting and rising from a chair as many times as possible and doing this daily. your advice is a work around and solves nothing.

Vivante profile image
Vivante in reply to Bailey_Texas

The people I have taught could not stand without support, they worked with their back against the wall. Two of those people could not stand, you try and tell those people to work on press ups.

Please do more research. Parkinson's disease was known as the shaking palsy.

Bailey_Texas profile image
Bailey_Texas in reply to Vivante

i don't need to do research i live i every day i have had Parkinson's for 10 years and do not have tremor. I was DX by the most sought after neurologist in this area. do you think that all PWP are helpless. You are taking it the wrong way. At my gym there are people at all stages of fitness the work outs are adjusted to what each person can do. Parkinson's comes in many different forms. I have Parkinson's but have no tremor. Where are you getting your info.

minnietip profile image
minnietip in reply to

Also, using Satin Sheets& silk sleep ware help tremendously

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