Imagine your body is a well-oiled machine, but over time, it starts to wear down. That’s what happens to people with Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, a recent study has found that exercise can help slow down this wear and tear. Researchers analyzed 109 studies involving over 4,600 PD patients and discovered that chronic exercise can delay the progression of motor symptoms, mobility issues, and balance problems. In fact, for those not engaging in exercise, motor function tends to decline faster. The study also revealed that dancing is particularly beneficial for improving general motor symptoms, while Nordic walking works wonders for mobility and balance. Qigong, on the other hand, may have specific benefits for hand function. These findings highlight the importance of exercise as a valuable tool in managing PD. So get moving! Whether it’s dancing, yoga, Nordic walking, or Qigong, find an exercise that suits you and keeps you grooving!
Physical exercise has been widely identified as a supplementary therapy for Parkinson’s disease (PD). Evaluating changes in motor function over long-term periods of exercise and comparing efficacy of various exercise types will enable a better understanding of the effects of exercise on PD. In the current study, a total of 109 studies that covered 14 types of exercise were included in the analyses, enrolling 4,631 PD patients. The results of meta-regression revealed that chronic exercise delays the progression of PD motor symptoms, mobility, and balance decline deterioration, whereas for the non-exercise PD groups, motor function progressively decline. Results from network meta-analyses suggest that dancing is the optimal exercise for general motor symptoms of PD. Furthermore, Nordic walking is the most efficient exercise to mobility and balance performance. The results from network meta-analyses also suggest that Qigong may have specific benefit in improving hand function. The findings of the current study provide further evidence that chronic exercise preserves the progression of motor function decline in PD and suggest that dancing, yoga, multimodal training, Nordic walking, aquatic training, exercise gaming, and Qigong are effective PD exercises.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=276264, identifier: CRD42021276264.
Dr. David Lowemann, M.Sc, Ph.D., is a co-founder of the Institute for the Future of Human Potential, where he leads the charge in pioneering Self-Enhancement Science for the Success of Society. With a keen interest in exploring the untapped potential of the human mind, Dr. Lowemann has dedicated his career to pushing the boundaries of human capabilities and understanding.
Armed with a Master of Science degree and a Ph.D. in his field, Dr. Lowemann has consistently been at the forefront of research and innovation, delving into ways to optimize human performance, cognition, and overall well-being. His work at the Institute revolves around a profound commitment to harnessing cutting-edge science and technology to help individuals lead more fulfilling and intelligent lives.
Dr. Lowemann’s influence extends to the educational platform BetterSmarter.me, where he shares his insights, findings, and personal development strategies with a broader audience. His ongoing mission is shaping the way we perceive and leverage the vast capacities of the human mind, offering invaluable contributions to society’s overall success and collective well-being.