Physical exercise is essential for maintaining good health and reducing the risk of chronic diseases. The Parkinson disease is no exception to this rule, according to a study published by Neurology, the journal of the american academy of neurology. After examining 231 people with Parkinson’s, researchers from the University of Sydney, Australia, claim that physical exercise can improve symptoms related to the disease.
For the study, the participants were separated into two groups. The first group continued to take the usual treatment, while the second group followed a training program three times a week for six months. The program consisted of 40 to 60 minutes of balance exercises and leg muscle strengthening. The goal: to limit the number of falls caused by the disease. Indeed, they were reduced by 70% in the group that followed the training program.
The only problem is that the benefits of sport have only been verified in people with a mild form of the disease. “These findings suggest that exercise programs aimed at reducing falls in people with Parkinson’s should begin early in the disease process,” declared Colleen Canning, lead author of the study.
The movement disorders caused by Parkinson’s disease cause emotional and cognitive difficulties, but falls remain the most dangerous consequence. By working on balance and muscle strengthening of the legs, the mental and emotional state of patients also improves, say the researchers.
