The New York Times published an article in 2017 discussing how different types of exercise had varying effects specifically on the progression of the disease.  The study (from JAMA Neurology) cited showed that very intense treadmill exercise by people with Parkinson's reduced the progression of the disease while people that performed gentle exercise did not seem to be able to delay the disease progression.

Researchers in the study pointed out that starting this intense exercise very early in the progression could greatly delay the need for medications.  The goal there being that the medications lose their effectiveness over time. 

This study treated exercise as a drug and carefully prescribed and tracked the dose of the "medication" ie exercise and the patient's response.  The group that worked out intensely showed little to no decline during the trial (6-mo) versus the other groups (less intense exercise) that showed decline.

As always, speak with your neurologist and physical therapist before starting high-intensity exercise.  As long as it is safe, regular high-intensity exercise appears to be one of the single best things you can do for reducing symptoms related to PD.

FULL ARTICLE HERE

Hello Nectar Community,
There was a great study published in 2017 looking at types of exercise and their benefits for people with Parkinson's Disease.  In the past, it was thought that intense exercise was not good.  Fortunately this has been objectively disproven.  One of the authors noted that not only is it important to exercise at a high intensity, but the earlier you get started, the more likely you can prevent symptoms.  Compared with a group that did medium intensity exercise and a group that did no exercise, the high-intensity group showed the greatest reduction in symptoms overall.

Study Highlights
- recommend working out at a heart rate of about 80-85% their max.
- high-intensity exercise should be done about 4x/wk.
- this type of exercise should be a regular part of the routine over the long-term.

Check out the full article and other studies linked here:  www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/12/171211123113.htm

Sample Workout: try to repeat circuit as many times as possible for 30-minutes.
- 10 squats
- 20 step ups
- 20 overhead press with weights
- 10 sit to stands
- walk 5 - minutes at a brisk pace