Muscle mass alone does not explain fitness drops in Parkinson’s
Researchers say results suggest 'complex interaction' of factors
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- Parkinson's disease patients are less physically fit than healthy adults, even with regular exercise.
- The fitness differences are not explained by variations in muscle mass or fat tissue.
- Neurological factors in PD affect physical function, supporting strength and aerobic exercises.
Older people with Parkinson’s disease who engage in regular exercise tend to perform worse on measures of physical fitness than similarly aged adults without the disease, but these differences are not explained by variations in body muscle mass, a study showed.
While men and women with Parkinson’s tend to have different amounts of muscle and fat, these anatomical differences don’t translate into differences in physical function, the researchers said.
“This finding reinforces the notion that physical function in PD depends on a complex interaction between [neurological], muscular, and postural control factors, beyond the absolute quantity of [muscle] or fat tissue,” they wrote.
An early-access version of the study, “Physical performance and DEXA-derived body composition in adults with Parkinson’s disease participating in a community-based exercise program and community-dwelling older adults: a cross-sectional study,” was published in Scientific Reports.
The study was conducted among adults in Latin America, a region that is underrepresented in Parkinson’s research.
Differences in body composition don’t mean differences in function
Parkinson’s disease often leads to problems with mobility and physical function. To help preserve functionality, it’s widely recommended that people with Parkinson’s should stay active and get regular exercise.
The study enrolled 18 adults with Parkinson’s who were regularly participating in community-based exercise programs. These patients underwent a battery of physical function tests and scans to measure the amount of muscle and fat in their bodies.
Researchers found that muscle and fat levels varied significantly by biological sex: Men tended to have more muscle, while women usually had more fat. Despite these differences, male and female patients performed similarly on physical function tests.
“The absence of significant sex differences in physical performance variables suggests that, in this group of individuals with [Parkinson’s disease] participating in a community-based exercise program, structural differences in body composition do not necessarily translate into differential functional performance,” the researchers wrote.
The study also included a control group of adults aged 60 and older without Parkinson’s disease who had low to moderate physical activity levels. On measures of physical function, people with Parkinson’s consistently performed worse than the control group. In particular, Parkinson’s patients walked much more slowly.
“One of the most relevant findings was the marked functional performance impairment in individuals with PD compared with community-dwelling older adults,” the researchers wrote. “The reduction observed in the PD group occurred despite regular participation in [exercise] training, suggesting that physical activity, although beneficial, does not fully compensate for the deficits arising from the neurodegenerative mechanisms inherent to the disease.”
The researchers constructed statistical models to determine whether differences in physical function scores might be explained by variations in muscle mass in people with or without Parkinson’s. The models showed no meaningful association between lean muscle mass and physical function scores.
“This finding may suggest a potential dissociation between muscle structure and physical function in Parkinson’s disease,” the researchers wrote. They said the data suggest that the neurological problems inherent to Parkinson’s have a greater impact on physical function than differences in muscle or fat content.
The researchers noted that the study was limited by its small size, but said the results may help inform which types of exercise and rehabilitation strategies are most beneficial for patients with Parkinson’s.
The findings “support the inclusion of muscle strengthening and functional aerobic conditioning interventions as central components of exercise programs in Parkinson’s disease,” they wrote.
“These findings provide relevant evidence regarding the interaction between Parkinson’s disease, ageing, and physical function in a Latin American context that remains underrepresented in the scientific literature,” they said.
Diane Hewitt
18 people?? You have to be kidding. What a waste of a study.
Mrs Margaret Mary Firmston
When Parkinson's causes one's toes to curl over (hammer toes) and they become stiff and solid it does make exercise difficult, as whatever you do, it usually involves a certain amount of walking. It is also extremely painful. One's fitness (however much one does try hard to keep fit) is bound to be less than a person without Parkinson's
Donna Cooper
I manage my Parkinson's with out
Meds. P T three times a week and clean diet. Supplements and try to stay positive.
DAVID
I'm a little confused, perhaps because of the cautious quotations from the study report. Does it just say PD people do not outdo non-PD people even if the former exercises and the latter don't? That is useful to know, of course. But I have to assume, then, that it's a given that PD people who exercise outdo PD people who don't. That is not clearly stated but only implied by phrase "although beneficial." I am not a very well- informed person, obviously, but could have used a little more context.
Mike Krukar
Hi Marisa,
Great article. Here is my experience. Diagnosis in 10/2020 by Dr. David Shprecher,DO,Msci at Sun Health Research Institute with P.S.P. At first my course was dismal guided by an awful prognosis.
In about 4/2024 following Dr. recommendation I was completely weened off of Depakote.
At that point guided by Jesus Christ and Pastor Julie my exercise became supercharged. Today I exercise 2.5 to 3.0 hrs per day . Walking around a large pool for 1 hour most days, then about 1 hr. in that pool and a jacuzzi.
Every other week foot massage, mental health sessions, weekly Brutal Tai Chi with a trainer, Physical Therapy.
At 69 today my life has never been better.
Getting Depakote, Paroxotine and Buproprion following Dr. guidance has been great. My head feels much lighter and clearer.
During this period added Neuralli MP, Mood, and lately Cognition Probiotics made by Bened life to my health regime.
Currently I am in 2 studies at the Mayo and Boston General. Your piece amplyfing the benefits of exercise for all folks with this conditiona regardless is wonderful and Godbreathed.
If folks can follow Medical advice, taking all prescribed Meds.and supplements, exercise constantly certainly this onerous condition can be managed!