New exercise tips aim to help people with Parkinson’s stay active
Parkinson’s Foundation, ACSM update guidelines for first time in 3 years
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- The Parkinson's Foundation and the American College of Sports Medicine have issued updated exercise guidelines for people living with Parkinson's.
- The recommendations urge 150 minutes weekly of aerobic, strength, stretching, and balance exercises.
- The new guidelines aim to help people with Parkinson's manage symptoms and maintain independence.
The Parkinson’s Foundation and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) are teaming up to make exercise more accessible and sustainable for people with Parkinson’s disease — while keeping patients safe.
The foundation and the ACSM, which bills itself as the world’s largest sports medicine and exercise science organization, have announced updated exercise guidelines for Parkinson’s patients — the first in three years. The new updates incorporate expert feedback and insights focused on time management, exercise dose and intensity, and adaptations as the disease progresses.
“The Parkinson’s Foundation is committed to ensuring that individuals with Parkinson’s disease receive the most current and effective guidance for exercise, which is why we meticulously reviewed our exercise recommendations after three years to integrate valuable insights from the community and professionals,” John L. Lehr, president and CEO of the Parkinson’s Foundation, said in a press release announcing the new guidelines.
“We are proud to continue our partnership with ACSM and provide people living with [Parkinson’s disease] important guidance on staying active and living well with the disease,” Lehr said.
A progressive disease, Parkinson’s is marked by motor symptoms that include slow movements, rigidity, tremor, and balance and walking issues, as well as nonmotor symptoms such as cognitive problems and mood changes.
Regular exercise can help those with Parkinson’s stay independent
Establishing regular physical exercise habits has been shown to ease Parkinson’s symptoms by helping patients maintain muscle strength and improve balance and mobility. Incorporating a regular activity program can also help people with Parkinson’s stay more independent in daily tasks, according to the partners. It may also help ease mood changes and improve thinking skills.
The new recommendations stretch across four domains: aerobic activity, strength training, stretching, and balance and agility.
These updated guidelines also advise patients to engage in physical exercise during on times, the periods of time when symptoms are well controlled with medication, have supervision if needed, seek functional evaluation from a physical therapist, and register exercise routines and physical and cognitive changes over time.
The recommendations emphasize engaging in moderate to vigorous aerobic activity three days a week, for at least 30 minutes per session. This could be brisk walking, running, cycling, swimming, dancing, or interval training — a program that alternates short, high-intensity exercise bursts with lower-intensity recovery periods.
Strength training is also advised, preferably 2-3 times per week on nonconsecutive days for at least 30 minutes per session. These sessions should target major muscle groups in the core and limbs, using body weight, resistance bands, handheld weights, or weight machines. During these exercises, participants should focus on good posture, per the guidelines. Weights and bands should be used with caution.
Stretching exercises should involve active range of motion, or movements a person can produce at a joint using their own muscles. This should be done with deep breathing before and after exercise. Balance and agility exercises are recommended at least 2-3 times per week. However, these can be more effective if performed daily.
Balance, agility, and multitasking exercises include multidirectional stepping, weight shifting, turning, and large movements such as yoga, tai chi, dance, and boxing.
Guidelines urge 2.5 hours of physical activity each week
Overall, patients should participate in 150 minutes, or 2.5 hours, of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per week, ideally combining different types of exercise, the recommendations say. Leveraging local communities may help people with Parkinson’s maintain motivation to exercise.
Exercise is essential to living well with Parkinson’s disease.
The foundation and the ACSM note that each of the recommended activities can pose specific safety concerns and require supervision. For instance, aerobic activity in Parkinson’s patients may carry a risk of freezing of gait, low blood pressure, or the inability of the heart to properly increase its rate during exercise. Meanwhile, it’s important to note that muscle stiffness may hinder full range of motion, strength training, and stretching.
Stretching, balance, and agility exercises may require adaptations due to a flexed posture, pain, fragile bones, balance issues, and changes in body awareness. For exampled, during balance exercises or stretching, patients may hold on to something stable as needed.
Katie Feltman, ACSM’s CEO, said the important thing is for people with Parkinson’s to get active.
“Exercise is essential to living well with Parkinson’s disease. We’re proud to partner with the Parkinson’s Foundation on updated, evidence-based recommendations that support safe, effective, and sustainable physical activity for people with Parkinson’s,” Feltman said.
