Parkinson's Exercise Guide

If you have Parkinson’s disease, there are known health benefits that come along with exercise. Simply put, you must do it and one of the most important reasons is because it increases your Natural Dopamine. Staying active can help you sleep, strengthen your muscles and joints, reduce stress and depression, and improve posture, balance, and your balance and gait.

But what sort of exercise should you do? The types of exercise you choose will depend on your physical abilities and certainly the progresion of your Parkinson’s and your overall health. According to the Parkinson’s Disease Clinic and Research Center at the University of California, the exercises should be varied and incorporate changing directions through unplanned movement, cardiovascular exercise, balance, strength training and rhythmical exercises.

Unplanned and Random Movement:
The exercises listed require the person to change tempo and direction regularly. These will challenge a person mentally as well as physically as they require concentration to perform.

Walking, hiking or jogging
Racket sports such as badminton, table tennis, squash and pickle ball
Yoga or Tai Chi
Outdoor cycling
Dancing (of any kind)
Aerobic classes
Marching with swinging arms
Swimming using different strokes

Planned and Repeated Movement:
These exercises are generally repeated movements that require balance. They can be performed while doing something that challenges a person mentally, such as watching a quiz show or the news, throwing and catching balls, singing, or problem-solving.

Cycling on a static bike
Weightlifting using light weights
Swimming laps in the same stroke
Slow walking on a treadmill