Symptoms
generally develop slowly over years and can include:
Tremors,
mainly at rest
Limb rigidity
and stiffness
Walking and
balance problems
In addition
to these movement symptoms there are non-motor symptoms. Non-motor symptoms include Hyposmia (loss of
smell), sleep disorders, constipation, anxiety and depression. These symptoms often affect patients more than
their motor symptoms.
Exercise
and Parkinson’s Disease
Exercise
helps prevent Parkinson’s and slows the progression of the disease for those
affected. High levels of moderate to vigorous
activities in mid or later life lower risk.
Key parameters
of exercise for Parkinson’s:
Task
Intensity – higher is
better meaning exercise must challenge the person.
Task
Specificity – the task
must be specific to the motor circuits being affected – so using the area of
the body affected is key.
Task
Complexity – activity
should be complex enough to engage the exerciser and require them to focus and
engage.
To maximize
benefit include activities that include an element of motor learning. Introducing an element of skill development
as part of an exercise program with activities such as dance or Tai Chi can be
very beneficial.
The
Importance of Vigorous Aerobic Exercise
In addition
to activities which challenge motor learning it is critical to engage in
vigorous aerobic exercise. This fits
the overall requirement of engagement of the exerciser – more intense aerobic
exercise requires more concentration and engagement! Vigorous aerobic exercise is also shown to dramatically
increase BDNF which is brain derived neurotrophic factor. BDNF is like miracle grow for the brain – it
is growth factor that is critical for maintaining synaptic connections and
growing neurons. Parkinson’s patients
have decreased BDNF.
To learn
more about exercise and Parkinson’s Disease check out this excellent interview
with a leading Parkinson’s researcher: https://www.foundmyfitness.com/episodes/giselle-petzinger
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