Aerobic Exercise & Parkinson's Disease

What is Aerobic Exercise?

Aerobic exercise is any activity that uses large muscle groups in a rhythmic and repetitive manner to increase your heart rate, breathing rate, and blood flow. Aerobic exercise increases the amount of oxygen your body uses to generate energy and also goes by the more common name of cardio.

Some typical examples of aerobic or cardio exercises include walking, running, cycling, swimming, hiking, using cardio machines like an elliptical or treadmill, stair climbing, dancing, rowing, and playing sports like golf, tennis, or basketball.

Why is aerobic exercise important?

Aerobic exercise is extremely beneficial in the Parkinson's population: research shows that increasing heart rate during exercise can slow the progression of Parkinson's disease. For these benefits, the activity must be moderate to vigorous, meaning your heart rate increases, you're sweating, and you’re almost out of breath.

Aerobic exercise is typically the form of exercise that can get your heart rate up to this disease-modifying zone, or what we call Zone 3+. This is 70% or higher of your max heart rate.

Not only can moderate to vigorous aerobic exercise help to slow the progression of the disease over time, it can also help improve your endurance, improve your heart and lung health, lower your risk of heart osteoporosis, boost your mood, and help you stay active and independent longer.

The Parkinson's Foundation, in collaboration with the American College of Sports Medicine, recommends performing aerobic exercise three days a week for at least 30 minutes per session at a moderate to vigorous intensity.

Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all exercise program, as this greatly depends on your symptoms and your safety. Always speak with your health care provider prior to starting a new routine, and as always, consistency with an exercise routine is key, so make sure it's an activity you enjoy.