What is Parkinson’s Disease?
Parkinson’s Disease is a progressive neuromuscular disease characterised by the gradual loss of nerve cells, leading to a decline in dopamine production—a crucial neurotransmitter responsible for coordinating movement. While the exact causes remain unknown, a combination of genetic and environmental factors is thought to contribute. Men are more susceptible than women, and symptoms typically manifest in individuals aged 50 years and older.
Although there’s currently no cure for Parkinson’s, there are a variety of treatment options available to help manage symptoms, including medication, lifestyle changes, and physical therapies.
Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease
The deficiency of dopamine results in disruptive symptoms that impact daily activities, including:
- Tremors: Involuntary shaking of the body or voice, often more pronounced during movement or stressful situations but may also occur at rest.
- Bradykinesia: Slowed movements affecting gait, reducing stride length and causing shuffling, along with extended durations for routine tasks.
- Rigidity: Stiff and inflexible muscles limiting range of motion, affecting tasks like sitting or standing and causing fixed facial expressions.
- Loss of balance: Resulting from freezing, poor posture, and muscle weakness, increasing the risk of falls.
- Insomnia: Common in advanced Parkinson’s, exacerbated symptoms disrupt sleep patterns, affecting about two-thirds of those with the disease.
- Psychological symptoms: Including anxiety and depression, often linked to unease regarding the condition.
- Decreased bone mass: Linked to reduced mobility, increasing the risk of fractures in case of falls.
While these symptoms can certainly be debilitating, there are ways to manage them effectively. Exercise has emerged as one of the most powerful tools for improving both physical and mental well-being in people with Parkinson’s Disease.
The Role of Exercise in Managing Parkinson’s Disease
Regular physical activity can play a critical role in enhancing quality of life for those with Parkinson’s Disease. Exercise offers a wide range of benefits, not only improving motor performance but also promoting mental health.
Improved motor performance: Regular exercise has been scientifically proven to enhance physical functioning, leg strength, balance, and gait speed. Activities like squats can significantly improve daily movements, contributing to an enhanced quality of life.
Reduction in osteoporosis and falls: Parkinson’s patients are more prone to osteoporosis and falls, making it crucial to enhance bone health. Weight-bearing exercises such as jogging, stair climbing, and dancing, along with balance-related exercises and general strength training, can minimise the risk of fractures.
Psychological well-being: Physical activity has demonstrated positive effects on depression, self-esteem, and a sense of achievement in Parkinson’s patients. Engaging in regular exercise for at least 12 weeks has been shown to reduce depressive symptoms, with significant benefits observed after 3-12 months. Emerging evidence also suggests that aerobic and resistance-based exercise can help alleviate sleep disturbances, especially when implemented early in the disease’s progression.
Challenging the Brain and Body
One of the most effective strategies that assist Parkinson’s rehabilitation is to challenge both the body and the brain. This is where the concept of “novelty” comes into play. Research has shown that introducing new and unfamiliar activities—like trying a new dance style, learning a complex movement, or practising non-contact boxing—can offer powerful cognitive benefits, in addition to the physical advantages of exercise.
Engaging in novel activities challenges the brain to adapt to new motor patterns, stimulating neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to form new neural connections. Neuroplasticity is especially important for people with Parkinson’s, as the disease causes the degeneration of brain cells, leading to a decline in motor and cognitive functions. By incorporating variety into your exercise routine, you encourage the brain to build new pathways, potentially mitigating some of the cognitive and motor declines associated with Parkinson’s.
The “novelty effect” refers to this ability of new experiences to boost brain function. By regularly changing your workout routine or introducing new activities, you stimulate the brain in ways that improve both mental agility and physical coordination.
Fostering neuroplasticity through novel activities can sometimes counteract some of the negative effects of the disease. This ability to “rewire” the brain can help maintain motor control, improve cognitive function, and increase overall brain health.
A Holistic Approach to Parkinson’s Management
Managing Parkinson’s Disease requires a holistic approach that incorporates medical treatment, lifestyle changes, and a commitment to physical activity. Regular exercise not only improves motor function and reduces symptoms, but it also enhances mental health, boosts cognitive function, and supports long-term brain health through neuroplasticity.
Whether through improving strength, balance, or mood, exercise has proven benefits for Parkinson’s patients. Additionally, by incorporating novelty into your exercise routine, you can give your brain the opportunity to create new neural pathways, providing valuable protection against the effects of the disease.
Longevity Health and Fitness can support personal training for neurological conditions and also physio support. To explore how we work with neurological conditions including Parkinson’s Disease, click to read more about our neuro-rehabilitation services.
