It’s World Parkinson’s Day!
For individuals living with Parkinson’s, it is so important to partake in physical activity, not only for physical health but also for mental health. This week is World Parkinson’s Week and in light of this Longevity Exercise Physiology Drummoyne, Edgecliff, Marrickville, Castle Hill, Randwick, Pymble, Kingsgrove, Neutral Bay and Coburg, are spotlighting our wonderful Neutral Bay client Jack* who has Parkinson’s Disease and is seeing great improvements to his quality of life since commencing training at Longevity Exercise Physiology.
Jack* was referred to Longevity during the middle of 2022 to help prevent and combat the health complications associated with Parkinson’s Disease. Such complications include high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol. Jack’s* mental health had been declining since his diagnosis in early 2022, and he wanted to increase his fitness and maintain a consistent routine. Jack* is now almost 80 and wants to stay active and work hard for many years to come.
Jack’s* main goals were to be able to get back to playing golf on a regular basis, increase general health and wellbeing, decrease fatigue and feel strong enough to be able to travel overseas with his wife.
Jack* enjoys travelling the world, so not being able to move freely, walk up and down stairs or get up out of a chair made Jack* nervous that this could become his reality if he didn’t start structured exercise.
Jack started off being hesitant to lift heavy weights, struggled to get out of a chair and lacked the motivation to attend the sessions consistently. Fatigue was also a large factor that inhibited him during the session.
EXERCISE SESSION
Jack* comes into our private Neutral Bay studio on a weekly basis. These sessions involve a range of strength, balance and aerobic training. It is essential that Jack* completes both strength and aerobic training to help prevent and combat the health complications associated with Parkinson’s Disease, such as high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol levels. Our Exercise Physiologists at Neutral Bay also assisted Jack* in creating a regular walking routine and he now completes two walks per week around his local neighbourhood, reaping the mental health benefits of getting outdoors.
Challenging and stimulating the brain in a variety of ways during the session is also important for individuals with Parkinson’s Disease. Current evidence suggests that exercise is a protective factor for individuals with Parkinson’s Disease as it slows down the progressive decline of both physical and cognitive symptoms (1).
‘…exercise slows the physical and cognitive decline in individuals with Parkinson’s Disease’.
JACK’S* RESULTS
In our most recent session, Jack’s* results from regular Exercise Physiology sessions truly came to light. Jack* was able to walk up the stairs to the clinic without hesitation, which made him excited about his upcoming trip to Europe knowing that he is more stable on his feet and at a decreased risk of falls.
Following this, we tested Jack’s* balance where he was able to stand on one leg for 15 seconds on both his left and right. This was a huge improvement in his balance and stability and goes hand in hand with Jack* being fall-free for at least a month! The consistency and motivation that Jack* has displayed has well and truly paid off. Jack* is a role model, showing how exercise can help those living with Parkinson’s Disease!
‘… Jack has seen huge improvements in his balance and has therefore been fall-free for at least a month!’
If you or someone you know of is living with Parkinson’s Disease call Longevity Exercise Physiology Drummoyne, Edgecliff, Marrickville, Castle Hill, Randwick, Pymble, Kingsgrove, Neutral Bay and Coburg on 1300 964 002 to today to find out how we can help!
*Name has been changed.
- Monteiro-Junior RS, Cevada T, Oliveira BR, Lattari E, Portugal EM, Carvalho A, Deslandes AC. We need to move more: Neurobiological hypotheses of physical exercise as a treatment for Parkinson’s disease. Med Hypotheses. 2015 Nov;85(5):537-41. doi: 10.1016/j.mehy.2015.07.011. Epub 2015 Jul 17. PMID: 26209418.