Abstract
This paper reviews the therapeutically beneficial effects of progressive resistance exercise (PRE) on Parkinson's disease (PD). First, this paper discusses the rationale for PRE in PD. Within the first section, the review discusses the central mechanisms that underlie bradykinesia and muscle weakness, highlights findings related to the central changes that accompany PRE in healthy individuals, and extends these findings to individuals with PD. It then illustrates the hypothesized positive effects of PRE on nigro-striatal-thalamo-cortical activation and connectivity. Second, it reviews recent findings of the use of PRE in individuals with PD. Finally, knowledge gaps of using PRE on individuals with PD are discussed along with suggestions for future research.
Highlights
The standard treatment for Parkinson’s disease (PD) is pharmacologic treatment with levodopa, a precursor to dopamine
There is merit to exploring treatment options that may be used as adjuncts to pharmacologic and surgical treatments prescribed in PD
We have shown that levodopa and/or deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus improves bradykinesia and/or muscle strength [24, 38, 39]; bradykinesia is not normalized [24, 37]
Summary
The standard treatment for Parkinson’s disease (PD) is pharmacologic treatment with levodopa, a precursor to dopamine. Despite the substantial clinical benefits of surgery, surgical treatment is not without complications, which occur in up to 50% of individuals with PD who undergo deep brain stimulation [2, 5]. These complications include device/surgery-related infections, cognitive decline, depression, speech difficulties, gait disorders, and postural instability [2, 5]. One such option is exercise, progressive resistance exercise (PRE). It will identify gaps in knowledge of using PRE in individuals with PD and makes suggestions for future research
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