PARKINSON disease outcomes may be stronger in early-stage patients who maintain regular long-term aerobic exercise habits.
Parkinson Disease Exercise Linked to Better Function
Regular moderate to high intensity aerobic exercise may help preserve physical function in early-stage Parkinson disease, according to a cross-sectional study comparing active and low-active individuals with Parkinson disease with healthy controls.
The study included 70 low-active individuals with Parkinson disease, 35 highly active individuals with Parkinson disease, and 35 healthy controls. Highly active participants were defined as those reporting moderate to high intensity aerobic exercise at least twice weekly for more than 3 months. Low-active participants reported this level of exercise no more than twice weekly over the same period.
Assessments covered a broad range of motor, physical, cognitive, and patient-reported outcomes. These included the Timed Up and Go Test, Six Spot Step Test, 6-Minute Walk Test, Mini Balance Evaluation Systems Test, lower extremity muscle peak power, aerobic capacity, physical activity, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Symbol Digit Modalities Test, Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire, Non-Motor Symptoms Questionnaire, Falls Efficacy Scale-International, European Quality of Life Questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory-II, and the Movement Disorders Society-sponsored revision of the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale.
Active Patients Showed Stronger Motor Outcomes
Highly active individuals with Parkinson disease outperformed low-active participants with Parkinson disease across physical function outcomes, motor symptom severity, physical activity levels, and nonmotor symptoms. In several measures of physical and cognitive function, as well as physical activity level, their results were comparable with healthy controls.
By contrast, low-active participants showed impairments in several physical function and activity outcomes compared with healthy controls. Cognitive function outcomes were similar across the two Parkinson disease groups, although healthy controls performed better in processing speed. No significant differences were observed between participant groups for quality of life or depressive symptoms.
Early Exercise May Support Comprehensive Care
The findings suggest that regular engagement in moderate to high intensity aerobic exercise may help limit disease-related motor decline in early-stage Parkinson disease. Although the cross-sectional design cannot establish causality, the results support consideration of early, higher intensity aerobic exercise as part of a comprehensive Parkinson disease management strategy.
Reference
Thrue C et al. Physical activity and exercise participation-Impact on motor and non-motor outcomes in early-stage Parkinson disease: A cross-sectional study. PM R. 2026;DOI:10.1002/pmrj.70145.
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