Benefits of Exercise

Mental and Physical Benefits of Exercise

The relationship between physical activity and mental health has been widely investigated, and several hypotheses have been formulated about it. Specifically, during the aging process, physical exercise might represent a potential adjunctive treatment for neuropsychiatric disorders and cognitive impairment, helping delay the onset of neurodegenerative process. Even though exercise itself might act as a stressor, it has been demonstrated that it reuduces the harmful effects of other stressors when performed at moderate intensities. Since inactivity is the number one risk factor for many disease, physcial activty has become an emerging topic of interest for mnay investigators. Exercise might act as an efficient and low-cost adjunctive factor in the treatment and prevention of age related neurodegenerative processes.

MENTAL BENEFITS

Mental illnesses are health conditions involving changes in emotion, thinking or behavior (or a combination of these). Mental illnesses are associated with distress and/or problems functioning in social, work, or family activities.

Physical Benefits

Physical fitness for Parkinson's patients is important for their physical health. Certain exercises that improves balance and muscle strength is very ideal. The exercises are meant to prevent falls and better coordination for a better way of life coping with the disease.

Mental illness is common.

nearly one in five (19 percent) U.S. adults experience some form of mental illness
one in 24 (4.1 percent) has a serious mental illness*
one in 12 (8.5 percent) has a diagnosable substance use disorder

Mental Health...

involves effective functioning in daily activities resulting in

Productive activities (work, school, caregiving)
Healthy relationships
Ability to adapt to change and cope with adversity

Parkinson's Disease

Associated with genetics, environmental and behavioral factors. Such alterations are directly associated with falls and fatigue experienced by the patients.
Observed that physical activity is significantly beneficial to PD patients improving their mental illnesses like depression, anxiety, and relationships.

Affect you mentally

Exercise can stop accumulation of a harmful protein in the brain
You may experience a range of mental health issues alongside your physical Parkinson's symptoms.
These can range from depression and anxiety to hallucinations, memory problems and dementia.
Anxiety and depression are two of the most common mental health symptoms that affect people with Parkinson's.

Mind Stimulating Activites

Word Games
- Encourage patient to complete crossword puzzles found in the daily newspaper, or pick one up from the store.
Card Games
- Simple card games such as Poker, Solitaire, Go Fish and Memory Match can help to improve cognitive function in PD
Chess & Strategy Games
- Strategy games such as checkers and chess stimulate multiple parts of the brain.

Exercise Types Include...

Balance Exercises
Stretching Exercises
PRE (Progressive Resistance Exercise)

The most important factor for Parkinson's patients is to prevent falls. Falling for PD patients could be detrimental to their health, so these exercise techniques are put in place to quiet the tremors and give some of their freedom back.

Balance Exercises

Static exercises that help build muscles in the lower extremities
Helps with postural control
Exercises include...
- Sit to stand
- Pelvic elevation
- Forward and Lateral steps onto a block
- Semi-squats
- etc.

Stretching Exercises

Needed because of the tightening of several muscles groups caused by tremors and lack of balance
Helps fight muscle rigidity
Should be performed 3-4 times a week and at least 10 minutes per day
Targeted body areas should be the:
- Chest wall
- Calves
- Hamstrings
- Shoulders and elbows
- Low back and neck
- Wrists and ankles

These exercises should feel like a gentle pull rather than to inflict pain. Steady breathing should go on as well to progressively improve the stretching movement.

Progressive Resistance Exercise

This is strength building program
It consists of muscle building exercises like:
- Chest press
- Latissimus pull downs
- Reverse flys
- Bicep curls
- Seated quadricep extension and more
These exercises improve stability and fluid of movement
Helps minimize some symptoms of PD
The goal is to improve on the UPDRS-III score
- The lower the score, the slower the progression of Parkinson's Disease throughout the patient

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