We all know that exercise is good. The problem is that exercise is hard–sometimes even painful. The good benefits that we expect might not seem realistic given how tough it can be to keep moving. This is even true when it comes to chronic diseases, like Parkinson’s. Researchers found that regular exercise in the early stages of the disease were just as effective as medication when it came to preventing motor functioning.
Research was conducted by Radboud University’s Medical Center and was part of the Park-in-Shape study. One of the goals was to make exercise more fun for participants, especially those that were struggling to be motivated. The end result was the creation of motivational apps and a gamified type of exercise.
The exercise that was done in this study was not too strenuous, either. An exercise bike was the main type that was used. All participants used the motivational apps on their phones, encouraging them to exercise. However, one group focused on stretching while the other group use the bikes. The group that used the bikes showed much greater gains when it came to motor skill functioning than the other.
Next steps for the researchers include trying to determine how long this benefit will last. The progress made over the course of six months was enough to be clinically significant, even to the point that some commented that it was as effective as medication. Past this point, little is known about whether or not exercise can help slow the spread of the disease.
Either way, it looks like exercise can provide relief from the early symptoms of Parkinson’s. This is exciting news and should be an encouragement to those that struggle with the disease. It should also be an encouragement to those that want to live healthier lives.
Personally, I can attest to the benefits of even mild exercise. As an athlete all throughout highschool and college, I was devastated when I found myself suffering from osteoarthritis in my early 30s. Exercise was hard and it hurt, so I stopped. As the years passed, it got harder and harder to motivate myself. I gained weight and a few health problems along the way. This past summer, my wife made me start walking in the evenings with her–something I never would have considered to be exercise 20 years ago. The weight started falling off and I felt better than I had in years. Even something like walking for 20 minutes a day has benefit.
I don’t suffer from the same conditions that many seniors do, but there’s a good comfort in knowing that sometimes we have to go through those initial difficult steps to make things easier. Exercise is hard, but it’s possible for just about anyone. If you or a loved one have Parkinson’s or another barrier preventing you from getting the exercise that you need, speak with a doctor or another professional who can give you expert advice and motivation to help you take those first steps and gain better control over your health.
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