Regular exercise greatly benefits individuals with Parkinson\u2019s Disease.\u00a0 A recent study examined the effects of aerobic exercise on people with Parkinson\u2019s Disease (PD).\u00a0 The study included sedentary people aged 30 to 75 who were experiencing mild PD symptoms.\u00a0 The group was split into two: 1) the first group performed stretching and relaxation exercises, and 2) the second group rode a stationary bicycle.\u00a0 Both groups exercised 30-45 minutes three times a week in their own homes.<\/p>\n
People in both groups were assessed at the beginning of the study and six months later.\u00a0 To assess progress, the researchers used the Unified Parkinson\u2019s Disease Rating Scale to measure symptoms.\u00a0 In addition, a portion of both groups underwent MRI\u2019s.<\/p>\n
After six months, the aerobic exercise group experienced an enhanced connectivity in their brain structure (involving the sensorymotor cortex).\u00a0 \u00a0The aerobic group experienced less brain shrinkage than the stretching group.\u00a0 And the aerobic exercise group experienced greater cognitive control.<\/p>\n
This study was published in the Annals of Neurology on behalf of the American Neurological Association.<\/p>\n
Becky Farley (PhD), a local Tucson expert in the field, also recommends aerobic exercise for people with Parkinson\u2019s Disease.\u00a0 Dr. Farley explains, \u201cAerobic exercise not only improves cardiovascular function, but it improves cognition, mood, and motor function.\u201d\u00a0 According to Farley, exercise also produces physiological benefits that help protect the brain against stress, toxins, and other degenerative processes.<\/p>\n
Dr. Farley\u2019s PD-exercise program includes components that emphasize skills training.\u00a0 Skills training benefits anyone who is attempting to improve their prowess and ability in a particular area, for example, a professional baseball player or a student learning to play the trumpet.\u00a0 In the case of people with Parkinson\u2019s Disease, skills training helps them regain or improve function.\u00a0 Farley trains therapists to retrain complex everyday movements.<\/p>\n
Becky Farley recommends aerobic exercise for people with Parkinson\u2019s Disease, but she understands that exercise does not come easy to everyone.\u00a0\u00a0 Movement and activity of any kind is better than remaining sedentary.\u00a0\u00a0 Community\/group exercise is available to people with PD.\u00a0 Farley suggests talking to your care team \u2013 doctors and therapists \u2013 about beginning new exercise routines.<\/p>\n
SYNERGY HomeCare caregivers can assist those with Parkinson\u2019s Disease with their exercises.\u00a0 They can provide encouragement and create a safe environment.\u00a0 Caregivers can also help with medication reminders, personal care, and transportation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Regular exercise greatly benefits individuals with Parkinson\u2019s Disease.\u00a0 A recent study examined the effects of aerobic exercise on people with Parkinson\u2019s Disease (PD).\u00a0 The study included sedentary people aged 30 to 75 who were experiencing mild PD symptoms.\u00a0 The group was split into two: 1) the first group performed stretching and relaxation exercises, and 2)…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":51,"featured_media":581,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[20,19,12],"class_list":["post-580","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-senior-living","tag-brain-health","tag-exercise","tag-parkinsons-disease"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n