Alzheimer's, Dementia & Mental Health
Physical Activity Slows the Progress of Parkinson’s
in Study
U. of Michigan programs promote strengthening and
conditioning of patients
Aug.
11, 2008 - Parkinson’s, another of those diseases that primarily
strike senior citizens, is known as a disease that causes the
progressive decline of physical and cognitive function, but recent
research suggests that regular exercise may impede the progression of
this incurable disease.
Eric Breitenbeck, wellness coordinator with MFit,
the health promotion division at the University of Michigan Health
System, has witnessed just how beneficial exercise can be for those with
Parkinson’s. Through his work with clients, he has seen people with
various stages of Parkinson’s improve joint mobility, posture,
coordination and balance. Overall these benefits help patients better
perform activities on a daily basis.
“We see an increased ability among clients who
regularly exercise to do things that they had not been able to do
independently, like going up and down a flight of stairs or getting into
a car,” Breitenbeck says.
“Getting into a habit of physical activity
certainly has long-term benefits.”
There are two programs that MFit offers to
accommodate a person’s individual needs and specific conditions. One is
FitScript— a medically based and supervised program that devises an
individualized exercise regimen for clients who have specific health
conditions.
The other is a
personal training service that gives clients the opportunity to
independently work with a fitness expert.
All MFit personal trainers have college degrees in
exercise science, sports medicine or similar fields, and many staff
members have additional training and certifications in order to work
with those who have special health needs. Personal trainers aim to
integrate a
variety of exercises in order to prevent a client’s body from
becoming accustomed to the same routine.
They also work with individuals to set up goals at
each training session; if a patient uses a walker, for example, the
client is urged not to use it during the appointment. While each regimen
differs depending on a Parkinson’s patient’s progression and
circumstances, Breitenbeck says one standard remains consistent: taking
exercise day by day.
“Some days are worse than others when it comes to a
condition like Parkinson’s,” Breitenbeck explains. “So it is really
important that someone working out really listens to their body.”
Dean Millard, an 84-year-old Ann Arbor resident,
has been a client of MFit’s FitScript program for five years and works
with Breitenbeck two to three times a week. As soon as Millard walks
through the fitness center’s doors, he puts aside his walker, which he
uses in everyday life. Breitenbeck then leads Millard through various
exercises using equipment such as benches and weight machines.
“It’s convenient, it’s easy, and it’s available,”
Millard explains of the FitScript program. “I know that exercise has
delayed the progression of my Parkinson’s, and I know that I have become
stronger. That is why I keep coming back.”
For those interested in beginning an exercise
regimen, Breitenbeck stresses the importance of speaking with a health
care provider first—especially when a chronic condition such as
Parkinson’s is involved. But he notes that once a doctor’s approval has
been sought, the benefits of exercise are undeniable.
“Exercise just makes you feel good,” says
Breitenbeck. “It keeps your mind working as well as your body. Many
people don’t realize just how much better they can feel by exercising
until they get into a routine of doing it.”
|
About Parkinson's
Disease
Also called: Paralysis agitans, Shaking palsy
Parkinson's disease is the
second most common chronic neurological disorder in older adults
after Alzheimer's, affecting approximately one percent of people
over age 60. Approximately 15 percent of patients develop
Parkinson's disease before the age of 50.
Every nine minutes someone is
diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.
Parkinson's disease is
a disorder that affects nerve cells, or neurons, in a part of
the brain that controls muscle movement. In Parkinson's, neurons
that make a chemical called dopamine die or do not work
properly. Dopamine normally sends signals that help coordinate
your movements. No one knows what damages these cells. Symptoms
of Parkinson's disease may include:
● Trembling of hands, arms, legs, jaw and face
● Stiffness of the arms, legs and trunk
● Slowness of movement, shuffling gait
● Poor balance and coordination
● Loss of facial
expression
As symptoms get worse
over time, people with the disease may have trouble walking,
talking or doing simple tasks. They may also have problems such
as depression, sleep problems or trouble chewing, swallowing or
speaking.
Although Parkinson's
usually begins around age 60, it can start earlier. It is more
common in men than in women. There is no cure for Parkinson's
disease. A variety of medicines sometimes help symptoms
dramatically.
>>
More on Parkinson's at MedlinePlus
According to the National Parkinson
Foundation, 1.5 million Americans currently have the
degenerative illness, which strikes men and women in roughly
equal numbers, usually after the age of 65.
>>
More at NPF |
Editor’s Notes:
> Meet the
expert:
Eric Breitenbeck, Wellness Coordinator
> The
MFit Fitness Center is located in the
Ann Arbor Ice Cube, 2121 Oak Valley Drive in Ann Arbor. Memberships
are available for three-, six- or 12-month periods. New members receive
a free orientation to introduce them to the facility’s cardiovascular
machines and strength circuit.
> MFit also
offers a variety of exercise and relaxation classes at various Ann Arbor
locations. To learn more visit
www.med.umich.edu/mfit/fitness.
>
MFit Health Promotion Division
> About
Parkinson’s at U.M.
>
University of Michigan Health System
To learn more about exercise and Parkinson’s
disease, visit:
>
Center for Neurologic Study: Exercises for the Parkinson’s Patient
>
Parkinson’s Support Group
>
Parkinson’s Community.org: Exercise & Fitness
Original report written by Laura Drouillard,
University of Michigan, School of Medicine
More links to
archived news reports about Parkinson's
Parkinson’s Disease Risks Lower with High Levels of
Urate in Blood
Large Harvard study finds potent antioxidant works
against oxidative stress
June 22, 2007
Engineers Say They Now Know How Brain Pacemakers
Help Parkinson’s Patients
Deep brain stimulation erases diseased messages for
thousands
May 31, 2007
Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Diabetes, Mad Cow
Similar
at Molecular Level
Protein analysis may offer new diagnoses and
treatment options
April 30, 2007
Parkinson's Treatment Drugs Being Withdrawn, Says
FDA
Permax (pergolide) and two generic versions may
damage heart valves
March 29, 2007
Major Parkinson's Trial Begins Testing Energy
Booster's Ability to Slow the Disease
Creatine to be tested in 52 sites with 1,720
participants
March 22, 2007
Australians Claim Low-Cost Gene Screening for
Parkinson's Disease
Seeks people for gene-sequencing trial,
Australia-wide gene-mapping study
Feb. 23, 2007
Parkinson's Linked to Low LDL Cholesterol
that is Good for Heart
People with Parkinson's have lower rate of heart
attack and stroke
December 20, 2006
Cell Activities that
Protect against Alzheimer's Protein Buildup Found
Findings may lead to new therapies for
Neurodegenerative Diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's
August 11, 2006
Researchers find 'Probable Cause' for Parkinson's,
Alzheimer's, other Brain Disorders
June 28, 2006
