Weight Training With Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's patients often suffer from loss of balance, stiffness, rigidity and loss of muscle tone. Exercise that includes weight training may help alleviate many Parkinson's symptoms.

Significance

• Exercise, movement and strength training positively affect Parkinson's patients both physically and mentally. Exercise and exertion promote the release of beneficial chemicals in the brain and may protect brain cells in Parkinson's patients from further damage.

Benefits

• Strength training with weights improves gait, balance, sit-to-stand movements, steps, joint flexibility and overall mood. A stronger body also provides protection in the event of falls and against osteoporosis, both common risks for those with Parkinson's disease.

Considerations

• Lifting weights requires stamina and strength. Parkinson's patients benefit from rigorous and challenging core exercises, which strengthen brain functions as they strengthen muscle groups.

Expert Insight

• It's recommended that a person with Parkinson's disease work with a physical therapist to tailor a weight program suitable for them. A patient should focus on one group of muscles at a time and alternate muscle groups on different days.

Effects

• Researchers at the University of Southern California's Keck School of Medicine reported that exercise and movement may help Parkinson's patients' brains work more efficiently and promote stronger connections there. Exertion may promote more efficient use of dopamine, produced by nerve cells in the brain that Parkinson's disease diminishes. Weight training can also reduce oxidative stress, improve mobility and lift the moods of Parkinson's patients.