Parkinson disease is a degenerative disease affecting the brain cells of a region called: Substance Nigra. The cells produce a neurotransmitter called dopamine. A lack of dopamine can be dramatic for the proper functions of the human body, especially the muscular system. Low levels of Dopamine create symptoms such as:
Depression.
Problems with motivation or concentration.
Working memory issues, such as difficulty remembering the first part of a sentence a person just spoke.
Restless leg syndrome.
Shaking hands or other tremors.
Changes in coordination.
Low sex drive.
We know that exercise is beneficial for the human body. Most patients that we see in the clinic have issues caused by sedentary lifestyle and only once in while we see someone that has an injury caused by over exercising. As people get older, they forget that exercise and joint mobility are important to maintain the proper functions of the joints. Recently, it was found that sitting for too long caused the same issue as smoking. The human body needs to be moving at least 1 hour a day to preserve its integrity. Please, remember that moderation is the key to maintain a healthy body.
Exercise can help to reduce:
· Depression
· Problems with motivation or concentration
· Low sex drive
Research have shown that exercise increases the production of neuron factor that helps with the regeneration of new nerve cells and the production of Dopamine.
High intensity sports could help at an early stage of the disease to slow down the progression of the disease.
Many small studies have shown the benefits of long-term exercises to improve balance, gait velocity, improve grip and confidence.
Long-term group exercise for people with Parkinson's disease: a feasibility study
Based on our personal research and observation, we are concurring with those results about exercise benefits for PD patients and for other patients.
Aikido is a martial art that can help strengthen and improve balance, motility, and quality of life.
Our class involve the use of a stick (Jo in Japanese) which is about 5LBS, and we are focusing on:
balance,
weight-bearing exercises,
grip,
stretches,
cognitive exercises for the brain.
People should consider Aikido as an option to keep Parkinson disease's patients healthy and for others as a path to improve their health.
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