Why Exercise Is Crucial for Parkinson’s Disease, and 4 Workouts That Alleviate Symptoms

Ground Picture/Shutterstock
Updated:
0:00

Parkinson’s symptoms gradually escalate until they hinder a person’s ability to enjoy even basic physical activities. However, simply becoming more active can have an incredible effect on disease progression.

“There is quite a bit of research to support exercise as a modality to improve many of the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease,” Sarah Cohen, a physical therapist from the Center for Parkinson’s Disease at Stony Brook Southampton Hospital, told The Epoch Times.

How Exercise Strengthens Brain and Body

The human brain has an ability called neuroplasticity, allowing it to change and adapt based on experiences and environmental demands. Exercise is crucial in promoting neuroplasticity by creating new connections in the brain and potentially restoring lost ones.

This process can help slow the typical deterioration of physical abilities in Parkinson’s patients.

Physically active people have healthier brains than those who are sedentary. Studies in mice have indicated exercise may help reduce brain inflammation and increase proteins that encourage nerve cell growth.

Of course, exercise doesn’t just benefit the brain; your body also undergoes important changes that can help improve the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

Physical benefits include:
  • Improved posture: Parkinson’s disease can cause patients to stoop, causing spine misalignment.
  • Increased strength: The condition can cause muscle weakness, making movements slow and difficult.
  • Better balance: Loss of balance is a potentially dangerous symptom of Parkinson’s because it can result in frequent falls, increasing the risk of fractures and other complications.
  • Improved mobility: Impaired dopamine signaling can severely affect patients’ ability to walk. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that acts as a chemical messenger, facilitating communication between nerve cells involved in motor control.
Exercise also improves nonmotor-related symptoms like depression and constipation and offers psychological benefits. “You feel like you have some control over this disease that you know is going to progress over time,” Ms. Cohen said.

Benefits of Exercise That Engages Body and Brain Together

Studies have demonstrated that exercises engaging both the body and mind at the same time—such as dancing, boxing, and tai chi—have significant benefits for Parkinson’s patients.

These activities require coordination, balance, and flexibility, which tend to become increasingly difficult for people with the condition. One study, in particular, showcased remarkable enhancements in balance and a reduced risk of falls among participants who regularly attended boxing classes.

Evidence suggests that physical exercise can positively impact patients who have advanced in the disease. Ms. Cohen said that even seated exercises provided benefits for individuals unable to stand. “They might not be working on their standing balance, but they sure are getting their heart rate up and sweating,” she said. “So they get all of the cardiovascular benefits of exercise that someone would who is able to stand.”

According to research, exercise may slow the deterioration of the dopaminergic neurons in the brain. Dopaminergic neurons are a type of nerve cell that produce and release dopamine.
Exercise could help improve Parkinson’s drug efficacy by increasing levodopa absorption. Levodopa is a medication commonly used to alleviate the motor symptoms associated with the condition.

Workouts That Improve Parkinson’s Symptoms

1. Tai Chi

Tai chi, a traditional Chinese martial art characterized by slow, flowing movements, has garnered increasing attention as a potential therapy for Parkinson’s disease.
In the early stages of Parkinson’s, tai chi has shown promise in improving motor symptoms such as balance and gait. This could be attributed to the workout’s slow, repetitive, and controlled movements, which can help Parkinson’s patients improve their coordination.
Additionally, tai chi can contribute to reducing anxiety and depression commonly experienced by Parkinson’s patients. The meditative aspect of tai chi complements its physical practice, enabling patients to focus on both their minds and bodies.
Moreover, the social aspect of tai chi can be therapeutic, as patients engage in group sessions and benefit from social interactions. “One, being socially connected, [and] two, you know, having that sense of camaraderie,” Ms. Cohen said.

2. Boxing

Boxing training has emerged as a potential therapy for Parkinson’s disease, offering a wide range of benefits for patients in both the early and later stages of the condition.
A recent pilot study found that boxing can improve motor symptoms such as balance, gait, and coordination, and nonmotor symptoms such as depression and apathy associated with the disease. This positive outcome may be attributed to the constant movement, hand-eye coordination, and balance control involved in the training regimen.

“If you’re doing different types of moves, and sparring, and things of that nature, then there’s a cognitive component,” Dr. Roshni Patel, adjunct professor of neurology at Rush Medical College and study co-author, said in a press statement.

Patients find it enjoyable due to its dynamic nature, lack of monotony, and the opportunity to interact with others, Dr. Patel added.

3. Weight Training

Weight training, also called resistance or strength training, has been found to provide both physical and mental benefits for patients at different stages of Parkinson’s disease.

The condition can lead to muscle weakness and stiffness. Weight training can effectively address these issues by increasing muscular strength, promoting flexibility, and enhancing overall mobility.

By increasing muscular strength and coordination, weight training can also help mitigate the risk of falls.

In a 2020 small, randomized controlled trial, a high-intensity strength training program showcased notable improvements in nerve-to-muscle signaling, maximal muscle strength, and functional performance among Parkinson’s patients.

4. Karate and Other Martial Arts

Karate training promotes focus, concentration, and mental discipline. In a study conducted at Rush University, researchers observed 19 participants with mild and moderate Parkinson’s disease and found that participants’ quality of life showed significant improvement after completing a 10-week karate program.

“Our initial pilot study showed that martial arts may be beneficial for individuals with Parkinson’s disease by increasing mobility, balance coordination, and overall well-being,” Dr. Jori Fleisher, the study’s principal investigator and a neurologist at Rush, said in a press statement.

Falling is an ever-present danger for people with Parkinson’s, and a 2017 study suggests that martial arts such as judo or aikido can help by learning to “throw away” the self. Researchers concluded that engaging in these practices can enable patients to enhance their alertness and acquire techniques to “fall safely,” ultimately reducing the likelihood of injury when balance is compromised.

It’s advisable to consult a health care professional before pursuing specialized exercise programs that integrate martial arts, ensuring maximum benefits and risk reduction.

Correction: A previous version of this article incorrectly spelled Sarah Cohen’s name. The Epoch Times regrets the error.
George Citroner
Author
George Citroner reports on health and medicine, covering topics that include cancer, infectious diseases, and neurodegenerative conditions. He was awarded the Media Orthopaedic Reporting Excellence (MORE) award in 2020 for a story on osteoporosis risk in men.
Related Topics