Unleash Your Power – 4 Tips for Exercise and Parkinson’s disease
Today Longevity Exercise Physiology Drummoyne, Edgecliff, Marrickville, Bella Vista, Randwick, Pymble and Balmain give their top 5 tips for exercise and Parkinson’s disease.
Previously, Longevity Exercise Physiology explained what Parkinson’s is, common symptoms and discussed the necessity of exercise for Parkinson’s disease. Below are some tips to make your exercise for Parkinson’s more effective.
Strong, exaggerated movements lead to greater stimulation of the motor cortex, creating new neural pathways and strengthening existing neural pathways
Below are 5 tips for Exercise and Parkinson’s disease:
- They should be done with POWER!
Strong, exaggerated movements lead to greater stimulation of the motor cortex, creating new neural pathways and strengthening existing neural pathways. Practicing these powerful movements help with the initiation of movement.
- Exercises must have a strongly defined start and end point
One of challenges with Parkinson’s is difficulty with initiating movement. Up to half of people with Parkinson’s experience freezing of gait. Exercises that specifically target the start and end point of a movement assist with initiating movement.
- Focus on functional movements
As motor symptoms increase over time, functional movements such as getting in and out of a chair can become very difficult. Therefore, it is essential to increase the focus on strength exercises that specifically target those functional movements. Remember the first point – where possible it should be done with power!
People with Parkinson’s are more likely to fall and they are also more likely to injure themselves when they fall. It is imperative that they regularly partake in balance training to minimise the risk of future falls
- Regular balance training is vital
People with Parkinson’s are more likely to fall and they are also more likely to injure themselves when they fall. It is imperative that they regularly partake in balance training to minimise the risk of future falls. Balance training should also incorporate balance recovery strategies.
Each person with Parkinson’s has their own unique symptoms and set of challenges. We can help if you know you need to exercise but you don’t know how to start. All of our Exercise Physiologists regularly see people with Parkinson’s disease and are well equipped to map out the best plan for you.
Contact Longevity Personal Training and Exercise Physiology Edgecliff, Pymble, Marrickville, Randwick, Drummoyne, Balmain, Bella Vista on 1300 964 002 to enquire today.
Written by Josh Taylor