Researchers say that people with mild to moderate Parkinson’s disease may improve their motor function, mood, fatigue levels and more by taking regular aerobic walks.
The researchers tracked 49 people ages 50 to 80 who had mild to moderate Parkinson’s disease. They wore electronic heart and walking speed monitors, and were asked to keep a diary of their exercise. Some walked in groups, others on their own. Their average walking speed was 2.9 mph.
In six months, improvement came in aerobic fitness, as it would for most people. But the researchers also reported improvements outside of those from any medication in motor function, fatigue levels, mood, aspects of executive function and quality of life.
The researchers concluded that people with mild to moderate Parkinson’s disease could benefit from following the federal guidelines recommending 150 minutes a week of moderate aerobic activity for people ages 18 to 65.
More work is needed, in part because this study did not include a control group, the researchers noted. But it did demonstrate that this group can safely take part in aerobic walking.
