Training v. Exercise

August 1, 2018 Exercise

As a physical therapist who treats many people with Parkinson disease (PD), I often see people drastically improve during their time in therapy. To some degree, it’s likely due to being more active overall. We all hear that exercise is medicine. When it comes to PD, research certainly supports that claim. Exercise helps nearly every system in your body to function better. Exercise helps you to feel better. It even helps people to feel more energized.

So, with evidence about benefits of exercise pouring in from a variety of studies and journals, what’s the best kind of exercise for PD? It may sound obvious, but the “best kind” of exercise you can do is the kind you will do regularly and safely. There is a great deal of research available regarding the neuroprotective benefits of exercise and the ways in which it could be helpful to people with PD. However, if it isn’t something you will stick with, and it isn’t something
in which you find value, then even the best-laid plans will be ineffective.

Since so many forms of exercise—from walking, to raking leaves, to boxing, Pilates, cycling, Yoga, Tai Chi and more—can be helpful for people with Parkinson’s, the bigger question is, “Are you TRAINING, or are you just working out?” I ask because there is a valuable distinction. Any exercise could be helpful; however, training is more involved.

Recently, at a PD event, I heard a speaker mention that he “trains to his impairments.” It really got me thinking. I’ve had conversations on this very topic with amateur and professional athletes. I’ve known athletes who say that on their off day, they like to exercise, for example going for a jog rather than training for his sport. This sets a nice distinction for me. Training is targeted. Training may be related to acquiring or improving a skill. “Training” likely has a performance or task-related goal (for example, improving consistency with a 3-point shot…or in more real-life terms, being able to walk 150 feet from the car to the grocery store independently). In other words, training is a way to improve on specific tasks. So for PD, should you train or should you exercise? I think both! Consider this:

  • Exercise can be done to stay active, feel good, and to maintain health.
  • Training could be a way to minimize the impact of symptoms in activities of daily living or to maximize function.

In light of this new way of looking at things, I’d like to issue a challenge. Take some time to think about what physical tasks you would like to improve upon. Think about who could help you with them. Then, come up with a training plan to address those items. If you need help, consider asking an exercise group leader or your neighborhood physical therapist. Train hard to minimize your “PD Problem List,” and exercise for fun and for activity!

Here’s another challenge for you: Share your training goals with someone else, and keep them updated about the results. Along those lines, next time I will focus on improving consistency. Until then, keep up the hard work!

 

Article from Dallas Area Parkinsonism Society.

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5 TED talks for people with Parkinson’s

August 1, 2018 Awareness, Life

TED Talks – an online series where expert speakers share their knowledge – has covered a wide range of Parkinson’s-related topics. We’ve picked some of our favourites:

1. Emma Lawton: Is confidence in my DNA?
Four years ago, creative director Emma Lawton was diagnosed with young-onset Parkinson’s at the age of 29. In this talk, Emma takes a look at how her own upbringing has shaped her confidence when dealing with her condition.

2. John McPhee: Walk smarter – living with Parkinson’s
John McPhee discusses his Parkinson’s journey, from his life changing diagnosis to his newly found passions. He has never let Parkinson’s take control of his life, and refuses to stop raising awareness about the condition.

3. Eleftheria K. Pissadaki: A mathematical model for predicting Parkinson’s
Research neurologist Eleftheria K. Pissadaki has dedicated her working life to brain disease, neurodegeneration and the etiopathology of Parkinson’s. In this talk, she assesses neurological electrical problems and their connection to Parkinson’s.

4. Erin Smith: Smile to see if you have Parkinson’s disease.
Erin Smith is a high school senior and founder of medical app FacePrint – a tool that uses facial recognition to detect early stages of Parkinson’s. Erin talks frankly about the inspirations behind her work – and how she got to where she is today.

5. David Denton – Compulsive Creativity and Parkinson’s disease
When David Denton was diagnosed with Parkinson’s he found himself with an urge for creative expression. He explains these impulses and shares some of the work that he has created since developing the condition.

 

Article from Parkinson’s Life.

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Contact sports increase Parkinson disease risk

August 1, 2018 Awareness, Life, Research

Injuries from playing contact sports, such as rugby, boxing, and martial arts, have been linked to a heightened risk of dementia. A new study now says that contact sports may actually lead to other neurodegenerative diseases, and it explains why.

At Medical News Today, we have covered studies linking brain injury — usually as a result of playing contact sports — with a higher risk of developing various conditions later in life.

One such study argued that brain injuries could accelerate the processes that bring about Alzheimer’s disease, which is the most common type of dementia. It is characterized most prominently by memory loss, a sense of disorientation, and an impaired ability to carry on a daily routine.

Numerous studies during the past few years have suggested that repeated head injuries obtained from participation in contact sports are linked to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), which is a degenerative brain disease that can lead to dementia.

Now, a study led by researchers from the Boston University School of Medicine in Massachusetts has found that people engaging in contact sports may also be more likely to develop Lewy body disease.

In that condition, a protein called alpha-synuclein forms abnormal deposits known as Lewy bodies in the brain. Lewy body disease is associated with dementia symptoms, as well as with Parkinson’s disease.

Traditionally, scientists have believed that the motor symptoms — such as tremors, slowness of movement, and difficulty walking — experienced by some athletes are attributable to CTE.

However, the researchers argue instead that those symptoms are actually a byproduct of Lewy body disease, independently of CTE.

“We found the number of years an individual was exposed to contact sports, including football, ice hockey, and boxing, was associated with the development of neocortical [Lewy body disease], and Lewy body disease, in turn, was associated with Parkinsonism and dementia,” says study author Dr. Thor Stein.

The researchers’ findings are now published in the Journal of Neuropathology and Experimental Neurology.

Risk increased in long-term sports players

Dr. Stein and team drew their conclusions after studying 694 donated brains from three sources: the Veteran’s Affairs-Boston University-Concussion Legacy FoundationBrain Bank, Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease Center, and the Framingham Heart Study.

They found that the total number of years that a person had spent playing contact sports was associated with an increased risk of developing Lewy bodies in the cerebral cortex.

People who participated in contact sports for over 8 years had the greatest risk of developing Lewy body disease — six times higher, in fact, than the increase in risk seen in people who had played contact sports for 8 years or under. Moreover, people who had both CTE and Lewy body disease had a higher risk of dementia and Parkinson’s than those who only had CTE.

These findings may not be surprising. After all, as the authors note, previous research had already shown that the number of years spent playing contact sports can be used to predict the severity of dementia-related pathology, as well as the severity of CTE in former players.

This research, the scientists add, builds on data provided by existing studies, though further efforts should be made to ascertain, with more exactitude, the health risks to which repeated brain injuries expose athletes.

“Future studies incorporating more participants with neocortical [Lewy body disease] and contact sports play will be necessary to more accurately determine the best threshold and risk of contact sports participation,” the researchers write.

 

Article from Medical News Today.

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Caregivers: Important discussion topics to have with your loved one

August 1, 2018 Caregivers, Life

A care partner is an essential, active participant with the person with Parkinson’s in their care. While most care partners are spouses, children, siblings, parents and even friends can all be considered care partners. As your loved one living with Parkinson’s becomes less independent and more reliant on your care, your role as a care partner transitions to caregiver.

As a care partner, you are an essential member of the care team supporting the person in your life living with Parkinson’s. Your role as a care partner will evolve over the years and asking questions will help you and your loved one have an ongoing conversation about how to best partner in care to encourage you both to live well.

Here are some important discussion topics to have with your loved one:

  • Communicate often with your loved one to help them understand and accept your concerns and desire to help and support them. Talk about how much you expect or wish to be involved in care. Care partners typically have the most frequent and ongoing involvement in the lives of people with Parkinson’s. This brings both benefits and challenges as you will often notice effects of Parkinson’s that your loved one may not be aware of. You may find yourself feeling frustrated as you encourage your loved one with Parkinson’s to do activities to help them live well that they may not necessarily want to do, such as exercising, speaking louder or attending an appointment with a healthcare professional.
  • Talk about how much you expect or wish to be involved in care. Transitioning from spouse, child, parent or even friend to care partner can change your relationship with your loved one with Parkinson’s. It is important to have discussions with your loved one with Parkinson’s and the rest of the care team about everyone’s expectations about your involvement in your loved one’s care and your relationship outside of serving as a care partner.
  • Set up rules or even agree on a “catch phrase” that your loved one with Parkinson’s can use to let you know when they feel that your guidance and encouragement may be feeling like nagging or too much pressure.
  • Speak up during medical appointments. You, as the care partner, are both significantly impacted by Parkinson’s and very familiar with the effects it has on your everyday lives. If your typical medical appointments focus only on the person with Parkinson’s, let the Parkinson’s healthcare provider know that you are an active member of the care team and will be contributing during the appointments as well. Writing down the three most important things that you would like your partner’s medical provider to address is another practical step to ensuring your concerns are heard by healthcare providers.

 

Information from Davis Phinney Foundation.

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