09/23/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 09/23/2024 11:42
Staying fit and active is important for everyone, but if you have Parkinson's disease, exercise should be a key part of your daily routine to help maintain mobility and balance.
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a brain disorder caused by a lack of dopamine, a chemical that helps control movement and coordination. Without enough dopamine in the brain, over time, individuals with PD lose their ability to control body movement.
According to the National Parkinson Foundation, exercise benefits people with PD in two ways: symptom management and slowing disease progression.
"By exercising often, areas such as balance, tremor, flexibility, grip strength and motor coordination can improve. Doctors believe that exercise improves your mobility and balance, which can slow the progression of Parkinson's disease," explains Ellen Air, M.D., a neurosurgeon at Henry Ford Health.
Exercises that include flexibility, aerobic activity and strength training offer the best results. Doctors suggest 2-2.5 hours of exercise per week with each exercise lasting at least 20 minutes. Here are a few tips for getting started:
If you have a difficult time getting out of the house to do physical activity, options such as exercise videos and home equipment, and activities such as yoga may be a good solution.
These exercises do not challenge the motor functions as much as other activities:
Keep a consistent schedule. The National Parkinson Foundation has found that people who exercise consistently have greater mobility and balance than those who participate in short-term programs. You should also:
Safety is important in any new exercise program. However, this is especially true for people with Parkinson's disease, given that balance and motor function may not be at their peak, according to Dr. Air.
Prevent injury by remembering to:
When you're exercising, it's also important to know your personal limits:
For people with Parkinson's disease, the cool-down after exercising is also imperative. This helps your heart rate decrease slowly, while keeping your muscles loose.
"Exercise will not stop Parkinson's disease. However, keeping yourself moving can help you manage symptoms and slow the progression of the disease - while also giving you the added health benefits that anybody can get with exercise, like weight control, better cardiovascular health, improved mood and more energy," says Dr. Air.
Dr. Ellen Air is a neurosurgeon who sees patients at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit and Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital.