Aerobic exercise could help slow the progression of Parkinsons disease

A recent study led by Dr J. Eric Ahlskog, a neurobiologist at Mayo Clinic, USA, has found that aerobic exercise such as using an elliptical trainer or brisk walking may slow the progression of Parkinson's disease.

In an editorial in the JAMA Neurology journal, American researchers recommend including vigorous aerobic fitness training as part of treatment for Parkinson's disease, a progressive disorder of the nervous system. Dr J. Eric Ahlskog, neurobiologist and author of "The New Parkinson's Disease Treatment Book," found that a level of exercise that makes patients hot, sweaty and tired boosts factors that may have a protective effect on the brain.

Suggested activities include brisk walking and using an elliptical trainer. Stretching and balance-based exercises may help with other symptoms associated with the disease, such as rigid muscles, slowed movement, or problems with balance and posture. Parkinson's can also cause involuntary movements, such as trembling hands, arms or legs, as well as stiffness in the limbs and torso.

Researchers found that aerobic exercise liberates small proteins in the brain which work in a similar way to fertilizer on a lawn. Exercise helps maintain brain connections and counters brain shrinkage and brain aging caused by Parkinson's disease.

To slow progression of the disease's effects, aerobic exercise must be practiced on a regular basis (two to three times per week) and intensity should be built up. It should also be associated with the correct dose of anti-Parkinson's medication (carbidopa/levodopa).

Parkinson's is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer's disease. It affects almost 4 million people worldwide with over 300,000 new cases diagnosed each year, usually in adults aged over 55.