Ask the MD: Your Top Questions on Exercise and Parkinson's Answered

Exercise is a powerful tool for promoting brain health and living life with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Regular exercise can reduce symptoms, help medication work better and even slow down disease progression. But it’s sometimes easier said than done - life and symptoms can get in the way, and it can be a struggle to find a routine you’ll stick to.
In this video, Rachel Dolhun, MD, DipABLM, movement disorder specialist, lifestyle medicine physician and senior vice president of medical communications at The Michael J. Fox Foundation, speaks with Cristina Colón-Semenza, PhD, a physical therapist, rehab scientist and assistant professor of kinesiology at the University of Connecticut, about exercise tips for life with PD. They answer frequently asked questions from the community on this topic.
The "Ask the MD" series is intended as an educational resource for people with Parkinson's and their loved ones. Please consult with your personal healthcare provider to address individual medical questions.
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research is dedicated to finding a cure for Parkinson's disease through an aggressively funded research agenda and to ensuring the development of improved therapies for those living with Parkinson's today. www.michaeljfo...
We gratefully acknowledge the Steering Committee members of our Patient Disease Education Consortium in conjunction with The Albert B. Glickman Parkinson’s Disease Education Program, whose sponsorship allows us to create and distribute materials, while preserving our track record of efficiency in stewarding donor-raised contributions for maximum impact on Parkinson’s drug development. Sponsorship support does not influence MJFF’s content perspective or panelist selection.
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[@drgailbusby]

Debilitating disease, and so much to learn about it. My most watched episode on my channel is my brilliant interview about Parkinson's disease. Clear and accurate information is always really appreciated.

[@xjet]

There are plenty of studies which indicate that endorphins play a role in enhancing the release of dopamine and we all know the role that dopamine (or the lack of it) plays in the symptoms of PD. Exercise promotes the release of endorphins and this, at least in some people, will lift your natural dopamine levels without the side effects levadopa/carvadopa. I'm 71 and was diagnosed with PD about 5 years ago. Since my diagnosis I've concentrated on resistance training and stead-state cardio (mainly brisk walking). Since I began a program which I've refined over the years, the progression of my symptoms has slowed markedly and my quality of life has improved. I'm now fitter and stronger than I have ever been. When I am unable to excercise for a period of more than a day or two I *really* notice an upturn in my PD symptoms. Another thing I discovered is that creatine monohydrate (suggested as protective in at least one study) has also made a huge difference, significantly improving my stamina both physically and mentally. Exercise is natural and (at least in my case) the single most effective mitigation against PD, at least at the stage I find myself on my PD journey.