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| Sharon Eliason, center, stretches with instructor Yvette Wilmath, left, after a Pedaling for Parkinson’s class at the South Tampa YMCA. MONICA HERNDON | Times
For
years, doctors have been telling their patients that exercise helps with the symptoms
of Parkinson's disease, too, but now they're getting some help from organized
exercise programs designed specifically for Parkinson's patients.
The
classes are usually led by specially trained and certified instructors who have
learned about the disease and how to work with those who have it.
Parkinson's
is a neurodegenerative brain disorder that slowly and progressively robs
patients of control over their bodies. For reasons that are not fully
understood, the brain stops producing dopamine, a chemical necessary to relay
messages that control smooth, coordinated body movement.
It
usually takes years to produce symptoms, and the earliest signs are often
dismissed as tiredness, stress or simply aging. By that time, dopamine
production is down 60 to 80 percent. After that it can take months or years to
become disabling.
Nothing
stops Parkinson's from worsening. Eventually it causes movement problems such
as slowness, stiffness, stooping posture, a feeling of being frozen in place,
foot dragging and shorter, shuffling steps. Medications and certain surgical
procedures may help. But exercise is almost always part of the prescribed
treatment plan.
|
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| From left: Jay Lucas, 63, John Scoble, 83, and Mike Mack, 71, use double-end bags to practice their punching skills during Wednesday's (2/3/16) boxing class for Parkinson's patients with Rock Steady Boxing at Bodyssey Performance + Recovery in Largo. Organizers say the physical activity involved with boxing helps reduce the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times |
Now there's some
evidence that intense exercise — the kind that makes you breathe hard and sweat
— may hold off worsening symptoms longer than anything else.
"A
number of studies have looked at slowness, stiffness and tremor, and exercise
has clearly demonstrated benefits lasting from hours to days," said Dr.
Robert Hauser, director of the USF Health Byrd Parkinson's Disease and Movement
Disorders Center. "The reason it helps isn't entirely clear, but it might
have to do with chemical changes that occur in the brain during high-intensity
exercise — like a runner's high. It may also be the increased blood flow to
neurons in the brain during exercise."
Whatever
the mechanism, exercise seems to keep Parkinson's patients active and able to
manage activities of daily living longer, compared to those who don't exercise.
The more high-energy and challenging the activity, the more it seems to
help.Frank Marcia noticed a change in his wife, Linda, not long after they
joined the Pedaling for Parkinson's class at the South Tampa YMCA. Linda was
diagnosed with Parkinson's disease almost eight years ago. Since starting the
class she has more energy, so she feels like doing more each day.
"I'm
not as tired as before," said Linda, who is 72 and cycles alongside
71-year-old Frank. "I'm not as fast as the others, but (the instructor)
told me not to worry about it."
At
first, Linda needed help getting on the bike and strapping her feet into the
pedals. Now she can do it on her own. She has gone from being able to cycle for
just 10 minutes to 30 minutes.
"The
other day I was on for 45 minutes," she said. If she needs a break, she
walks around the room for a few minutes then rejoins the class — without
help.
But
help is always close by. Two volunteers and the instructor circulate among the
small group of stationary bikes pulled into a circle. Conversation and sharing
are encouraged, but instructor Yvette Wilmath gently coaxes participants to
keep up their speed and to push the pedals with their heels, not their toes —
something people with Parkinson's are prone to do.
A
metronome taps out the beat so everyone reaches 80 to 90 revolutions per
minute, the speed which, studies have shown, gives Parkinson's patients the
most benefit.
"Our
participants tell us they have more of the better days than bad days since
taking the class," said Melissa Brockman, the South Tampa Family YMCA's
Pedaling for Parkinson's coordinator and an exercise physiologist.
Sharon
Eliason, 71, and her husband Fran, 72, have been taking the class for about two
months. Sharon was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2010 and has involuntary body
twisting, a common symptom of the disease. She, too, has improved over time and
now has no trouble cycling for 40 minutes, twice a week.
Fran
said Sharon is still able to work around the house doing laundry, the dishes
and making beds. Together they do some form of exercise almost every day.
"Exercise is better than medicine," he said.
Pedaling
for Parkinson's is free for all members of the YMCA and for the first eight
sessions for nonmembers. After eight classes, nonmembers can purchase an
eight-class pass for $40. An annual membership is not required to
participate.
The
South Tampa Y is the only one currently offering the Pedaling for Parkinson's
program.
Not
interested in cycling? Then try giving Parkinson's a knockout punch. An
exercise class based on the fitness and training routines of boxers is gaining
popularity nationwide and has made its way to Largo.
Known
as Rock Steady Boxing, it provides a challenging workout that helps improve the
symptoms of Parkinson's disease.
"I
don't know where I would be without this class," said 54-year-old Rob
Strathmann of Clearwater, who started taking Rock Steady about two and a half
months ago. He credits the workouts with helping him remain on the job as a
commercial truck driver.
Strathmann
was diagnosed with Parkinson's last March. When not on the road, he's in class
at least three days a week.
"I
see people who have more advanced Parkinson's than me and I know that's my
future. I don't want to get there right away," he said. "I see the
others in the class and everyone improves."
Classes
include stretching and exercises that improve balance, coordination,
flexibility and reflexes. Then it's on to hitting the heavy bags and speed
bags. Participants never hit each other, only the bags and the "focus
mitts" that the trainers hold.
At
the end, along with a cooldown, there's some voice work — Parkinson's patients
typically develop a soft, low voice and have to work at speaking up to be
heard. "We may yell, scream or sing," said Rock Steady instructor and
exercise physiologist Jordan Whittemore.
Rock
Steady Boxing is offered six days a week at Bodyssey Performance and Recovery
on Walsingham Road in Largo. The cost is $99 a month for unlimited classes. The
initial assessment, boxing gloves and wraps are extra. Other Rock Steady
locations can be found at rocksteadyboxing.org.
You
don't need to be an athlete or have boxing experience to participate. Class
members range in age from 52 to 92. Almost everyone improves in some way,
particularly with activities of daily living.
"One
man in our class hadn't stood up in the shower in seven years. He had to use a
shower bench. Now he can stand in the shower," said Whittemore. "One
lady refused to do floor exercises because she has a history of falls and
couldn't get herself up off the floor. We taught her how to get up."
Strathmann
says exercise is as important as the prescription medication he takes for
Parkinson's every day. Especially since research suggests it might delay
worsening of his symptoms.
"When
I can't go, it's awful for me," he quipped. "Boxing class is my best
friend."
Contact Irene Maher at imaher@tampabay.com.
http://health.einnews.com/article/310061402/WfAkcF8tr3_m5zWs
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