Researchers: Exercise should be prescribed for people with Parkinson's

[Farooqji]

based on an extensive literature review recently published in the journal Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry, researchers from Aarhus University conclude that physical exercise should be a significant factor in the treatment of Parkinson's patients."Based on current evidence, we propose a paradigm shift: Exercise should be prescribed as medicine for people with early-stage Parkinson's alongside conventional medical treatment," says Associate Professor Martin Langeskov Christensen from the Department of Clinical Medicine at Aarhus University and the Department of Neurology at Viborg Regional Hospital.

medicalxpress.com/news/2024...

[Gcf51]

Yes... Yes... Yes... Exercise has done more for me than anything else.

[LAJ12345]

no kidding🤣

[BH68]

Thank you. I’ll have a read of that when I’m back from my bike ride… 😉

[SAGoodman]

At least for myself, and even though painful at times, exercise does more to help me than anything else!

[pantologist]

My weekly routine: 2 days yoga, 2 days low impact HIIT, 2 days lifting plus 1 sesh of doubles Beach vball or pickleball has kept my PD progression slow at 5 years in. Each workout is under 60 min but vigorous. My Yoga & HIIT routines are free on YouTube.

[Smittybear7]

Thanks I am trying!

[amykp]

Yes, and thus insurance should pay for classes, which are often expensive, if they are even available...

I'm lucky that there's a gym right down my street with 4 specialty PD classes a week, but that should be true for everyone!

(Yes I know you can do it on your own, but I suspect it's hard to get motivated.)

[Ghmac]

And gym memberships and coaches should be covered under insurance.

[JohnPepper]

I reversed my PD symptoms back in the early 1990's by doing regular FAST WALKING, every second day for one hour, and it has remained in that state ever since. I am now almost 90 years old and have had PD since 1992. I have now retired after running my own business for all that time, although now I have to use a walker, to avoid falling.

Has nobody else had this experience?

[Esperanto in reply to JohnPepper]

Indeed I have the same experience. Not with fast walking, but with gardening 🙂

[JohnPepper in reply to Esperanto]

Hi Esperanto.

Gardening does not do what FAST WALKING does top the brain. Try It, you will never be sorry!

[Esperanto in reply to JohnPepper]

I strongly suspect that you have never maintained your own vegetable garden? It is the ultimate stress reliever and also allows you to be outdoors. In addition, the yield is beneficial for a healthy PD diet.

[JohnPepper]

I am sure it does but, does it produce GDNF in the brain? Not all exercise does that. It has something to do with the brain thinking we are in danger, when we walk very fast, because it is not natural! It has been proven in scientific studies!

[kaypeeoh in reply to JohnPepper]

It's why I use a treadmill. I take yoga class once weekly. The teacher is wonderful. It drives me crazy that she has only a couple of students. I've asked and it seems most with PD are fearful of falling.

Back to my treadmill; Walking or running at 10-15% grades there is a decent chance of falling. The chance is lessened by using hand rails. I use 15% grade and 5 MPH speed. I shoot for 30 seconds then grab the rails and jump off. 90 seconds of rest then I do the next sprint. I do 8 to 10 of these short sprints. The goal has been to get my heart rate close to my maximum. Lately I've found the sprints are not getting my heart rate near the maximum. So I'll have to increase speed. The treadmill doesn't go any higher than 15% grade. I suppose I could put bricks under the front legs. But raising the speed is simpler.

[JohnPepper in reply to kaypeeoh]

If that works for you, then stick to it! Good luck!

[Esperanto in reply to JohnPepper]

Of course, John, short intense exercise like fast walking is important. But from my own experience, I can say that any form of exercise can make a contribution. The research, Farooqji posted, confirms this: "If you have Parkinson's disease, you should do the type of exercise you like best. You're already hampered by low levels of dopamine—so even finding the motivation might be difficult," he says, pointing out that patients who have difficulty performing high-intensity exercise due to complications from Parkinson's can still achieve positive results by engaging in low-intensity activities at home such as gardening or daily walks with the dog.

My Savoy cabbage dopamin boost

[JohnPepper in reply to Esperanto]

All I can say for sure is that after having tried everything, my late wife begged me to join her 'Walk for LIFE' group. As nothing I had tried or done, up to that point, had worked, then what did I have to lose.

Within four months I felt the difference and after two years, I showed no signs of PFD whatsoever!

You pays your money and you takes your choice!

After 32 years, I am still PD-symptom-free. I am now 89 years old!