Brand new exercise guidance in Parkinson's to improve quality of life

News

Exercise benefits for people with Parkinson's are becoming increasingly understood, and now this new guidance can equip healthcare practitioners with clear recommendations to share with their patients.

Research from the Parkinson’s Foundation Parkinson’s Outcomes Project, the largest-ever clinical study of Parkinson’s, suggests that people with Parkinson's do at least 2.5 hours of exercise a week for a better quality of life.

The Parkinson's Foundation has collaborated with the American College of Sports Medicine to develop brand new guidance on the type, duration and intensity of exercise recommended to give the most impact to a person with Parkinson's.

Key recommendations include:

  • People with Parkinson's see a physical therapist specialising in Parkinson's for a full evaluation and tailored approach to exercising

  • Exercising is done during ‘on’ periods, when taking medication

  • 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise is engaged in every week across:
    • Aerobic activity
    • Strength training
    • Balance, agility and multitasking
    • Stretching

Parkinson's Academy has covered the importance of exercise for people with Parkinson's both directly and indirectly in a number of webinars, all of which are free to access on demand. Two key webinars on the subject are:

'The things you can't get from the books'

Parkinson's Academy, our original and longest running Academy, houses 22 years of inspirational projects, resources, and evidence for improving outcomes for people with Parkinson's. Led by co-founder and educational director Dr Peter Fletcher, the Academy has a truly collegiate feel and prides itself on delivering 'the things you can't get from books' - a practical learning model which inspires all Neurology Academy courses.