Exercise and Parkinson's Disease

An ever-growing body of evidence reveals that exercise holds specific benefits for people with Parkinson's. Summer is a perfect time to find the regimen that works for you. MJFF is helping you get moving safely with lots of information about how exercise makes a difference and what you can do to find the routine that's right for you.

NEWS FROM THE WEB

Read a Washington Post article on how "bicycling and other exercise may help people with Parkinson’s curb their symptoms".

PODCASTS AND VIDEO

On June 8, MJFF hosted a Hot Topics call on exercise and PD with Lisa Shulman, MD, Associate Professor of Neurology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Part One includes a background of her exercise study and its overall objectives.

Download MP3 file - 21.3MB, 00.15.30

On June 8, MJFF hosted a Hot Topics call on exercise and PD with Lisa Shulman, MD, Associate Professor of Neurology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Part Two focuses on her study's recruitment and results.

Download MP3 file - 27MB, 00.19.37

Terry Ellis, PT, PhD, NCS, Clinical Associate Professor at Boston University, introduces her exercise helpline, a resource for those who want to learn more about physical activity and PD. The number is 888-606-1688.

Download MP3 file - 11.8MB, 00.06.18

Lisa Shulman, MD, Associate Professor of Neurology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, discusses what forms of exercise help most.

Download MP3 file - 9.6MB, 00.05.08

Giselle Petzinger, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology and Biokinesiology/Physical Therapy at the University of Southern California, discusses how exercise may help Parkinson's patients.

Download MP3 file - 7.3MB, 00.03.59

Dave Wolf, a PD patient from Buffalo, NY, practices fencing. Watch this video to see how it eases his symptoms.

RECENT EXERCISE AND PD STUDIES

The ParkFit Study
ParkFit is a two-year research project aimed at promoting an active lifestyle in Parkinson's patients and measuring the benefits of activity for people with PD. Led by Dutch researchers at Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre in The Netherlands, ParkFit is the largest exercise study in Parkinson's disease to date. To learn more about ParkFit and read the latest results, click here.

Benefits of Low-Intensity Exercise
According to a study led by Lisa Shulman, MD, from the University of Maryland School of Medicine, low-intensity exercise improves walking in people with Parkinson's. Bastiaan Bloem, MD, an expert on exercise and Parkinson's disease, explains that Shulman's findings underscore the importance of exercise to PD patients. Read more here.

FROM OUR ARCHIVES

Lisa Shulman, MD, Associate Professor of Neurology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, studies the relationship between exercise and PD. Read an interview with her from our fall 2007 newsletter.

GET MOVING

All forms of exercise can help alleviate Parkinson's symptoms. If the gym isn't for you, skip out on traditional training and find a calorie-burning activity that is right for you — like dancing or boxing.

Dancing strengthens flexibility and boosts confidence.

Fight your Parkinson's symptoms
in the ring!

Be a Team Fox athlete to support PD research.

Please note: Dancing and boxing are just two of many examples of nontraditional forms of exercise that can help PD patients. Links do not imply endorsements of any specific program or activity.

OTHER THINGS YOU CAN DO

Learn more about living and coping with Parkinson's disease on our Living with Parkinson's page.

Share your story about how exercise has affected your life with Parkinson's.

Donate today. For a limited time, your gift could go twice as far to support our mission to speed a cure for Parkinson's disease.