This multicenter clinical study included people with PD who classified as regular exercisers or non-regular exercisers (more or less than 2,5 hours of exercise a week) at the start of the study. Subjects received 3 visits during 2 years to monitor their exercise habits. Changes in exercise habits were noted at each visit. Measurements included the PDQ-39 for HRQoL and the timed up and go test (TUG) for functional mobility. Maintaining regular exercise or becoming a regular exerciser after the first visit were associated with higher HRQoL and better functional mobility at each visit. Becoming a regular exerciser after the second visit (ca. 1 year after baseline) did not yield significantly better results than being a non-regular exerciser.
In conclusion, consistent exercising or starting to exercise regularly after baseline were both associated with small but significant protective effects on HRQoL and functional mobility over 2 years. The greater benefit of exercise on HRQoL in advanced PD suggests that physicians should encourage participation in all stages of PD.
> From: Rafferty et al., J Parkinsons Dis 7 (2017-05-15 07:18:55) 193-202 . All rights reserved to IOS Press and the authors.. Click here for the online summary.
