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Aerobic Training for Parkinson’s Disease: Boosting Cardiovascular Fitness and Mobility

Parkinson’s disease (PD), characterized by its progressive nature, significantly impacts an individual’s mobility and cardiovascular health. Aerobic endurance training (AET) has emerged as a powerful tool in addressing these challenges. Research conducted by Mak et al. (2017) highlights the effectiveness of AET in enhancing cardiopulmonary fitness and physical capacity in PD patients.

Aerobic Endurance Training: A Key to Improved Mobility in Parkinson’s Disease

AET, involving exercises like walking, treadmill work, Nordic walking, or using an elliptical trainer, is tailored to PD patients to improve their cardiovascular fitness. Mak et al. (2017) emphasize that training intensity is crucial, typically set at 60–75% of the maximum heart rate or 40–50% of the heart rate reserve. Such targeted aerobic activities have shown significant benefits in enhancing overall mobility and quality of life for individuals with PD.

Significant Improvements in Cardiovascular Fitness

The studies reviewed by Mak et al. (2017) demonstrate that AET leads to notable improvements in VO2 max, walking economy, and stress test duration. These improvements are pivotal for PD patients, as enhanced cardiopulmonary fitness directly correlates with better mobility and reduced symptoms of fatigue.

Enhancing Physical Capacity and Gait Performance

AET not only boosts cardiovascular fitness but also significantly improves physical capacity. This is evidenced by better performance in the 6-minute walk test and 2-minute step test. Furthermore, aerobic walking has shown to improve gait performance in terms of walking speed, stride length, and gait stability. These enhancements in mobility are essential for PD patients, as they contribute to a more independent and active lifestyle.

Long-term Benefits and Training Recommendations

Mak et al. (2017) report that the benefits of AET, including improved walking economy and cardiopulmonary fitness, can be sustained for up to 24 weeks, and in some cases, even longer with continued training. They recommend moderate-intensity training for at least 40 minutes per session to achieve these long-term benefits.

Conclusion

Aerobic endurance training offers a promising avenue for improving the lives of those living with Parkinson’s disease. By incorporating AET into their treatment regimen, PD patients can experience significant improvements in cardiovascular fitness, physical capacity, and gait performance, leading to enhanced mobility and independence.

Source

Mak, M. K., Wong-Yu, I. S., Shen, X., & Chung, C. L. (2017). Long-term effects of exercise and physical therapy in people with Parkinson disease. Nature reviews. Neurology, 13(11), 689–703. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrneurol.2017.128