Education
Special Populations Feature: Parkinson's Disease
Bollinger, Lance M.; Cowan, Celsi E.; LaFontaine, Thomas P.
The NSCA’s Strength and Conditioning Journal publishes a monthly series on exercise intervention for Special Populations. Volume 34, Issue 2 focuses on Parkinson’s disease (PD)—a progressive neurodegenerative disease that is accompanied by severe motor symptoms that present functional limitations. Exercise has been shown to positively modify PD symptoms and improve quality of life for persons with PD.
Synopsis
Designing an exercise
program for Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients requires special attention
to movement patterns unique to this Special Populations group.
Individuals with PD commonly suffer from the following four key
movement-related symptoms:
- Resting tremor–often described as “pill rolling” between the thumb and index finger
- Bradykinesis–decrease in speed of movement, range of motion, and coordination
- Rigidity–involuntary muscle resistance to external force
- Decreased postural reflexes–instability and forward leaning
Other
symptoms of PD include impaired gait, momentary freezing, and altered
sensory perception. A majority of these movement-related symptoms are
attributable to a decreased amount of circulating dopamine–the hormone
responsible for motor control. All types of physical activity require
motor control. Therefore, any fitness professional that supervises PD
patients must be aware of the modifications and contraindications for
aerobic, resistance, and flexibility training.
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Original Titles:
- Special Populations | Parkinson’s Disease: Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, and Exercise Intervention
- One-on-One | Exercise Programming for Parkinson’s Disease
About the Author
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