There is a clear and definite association between exercise and improved health. Exercise helps reduce obesity, improves cardiovascular health, helps muscles to retain mass and prevent injury, and it can even help improve brain functioning. Studies have shown that it can help alleviate the negative symptoms of diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
A new study is showing that high intensity exercise has far more value than what was once thought for those with Parkinson’s disease. For starters, if someone has shown signs of the early stages of this disease, exercise is still safe for them in most cases. Individuals who are in the beginning stages of the disease have found that when high intensity exercises are introduced about three times per week, many of the symptoms that are associated with the disease cease to worsen. Parkinson’s is a degenerative disease, which means that the symptoms keep getting worse and worse over time, but exercise can help to slow this spreading of the disease down in a noticeable way. The end result is that although the disease doesn’t go away, people are able to live better and longer lives when this is done.
This conclusion was reached by a recently published study from Northwestern Medicine and University of Denver researchers. Parkinson’s is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder in the U.S., and the most common movement disorder. About one million people in the U.S. suffer from this disease. Medications can help, but they lose efficacy over time. New treatments and therapies are needed for a more permanent way to help those suffering from this disease.
People suffering from Parkinson’s disease often have a unique set of needs thanks to the disease. They may benefit from a little extra assistance as they go through their days. An in-home caregiver can help provide supervision, help out with daily tasks, and give companionship, too. These things might be small in nature, but they go a long way toward improving the quality of life of the person that is in need.
People once believed (and many still do) that high intensity exercise was not safe for people with Parkinson’s. Overall, this study has shown that this is not necessarily the case. When done correctly under the right conditions, exercise will not hurt those with the disease or make symptoms worse. In fact, it does the exact opposite of this. Exercise in general is a good thing–this study shows that it’s also really good for those with Parkinson’s.
As always, it’s important that you speak to your doctor if you have questions about beginning a new exercise routine. While this study did indicate that high intensity exercise was safe and beneficial for those in the early stages of Parkinson’s, it did not comment about those with other health issues. Each person faces different circumstances, so it’s important to get clearance from a doctor just to be safe. This way, you can focus on helping your family to have the best health possible, and not accidentally make health issues worse for anyone.
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