I can't believe there could be a pill to replace exercise. I value it a lot, even though a mile in my shoes is a very long slow mile, and a marathon is something I'd rather not, it is actually completely out of my reach. On the other hand a slow steady programme of increased and supervised activity must be good for most people, and could lead to better things. Halting cell death now is a different matter, and it is hard to see how that is measurable, or provable in the individual person. The only way to measure these things is actually not scientific at all, it is called getting better.

What we need is maintenance and soon.

Lindy

My husband, who has had visable Parkinson's,mainly tremor, for nearly seven years was a marathon runner and would regiularly run long distances, while in training.He still goes to the gym and runs hard on the treadmill for nearly an hour,returning soaking, having sweated so profusely. (He has always hated the term " jogger" because he still runs faster than that.) His balance is of yet unaffected. He can do more than most people who are in their late 60s and do not have Parkinson's.In fact, he is still an extremely active and energetic man.Is it the running?Who knows. The point is he loves exercising,always has, so it is no hardship for him and he started from a base where he was very active. For other PwP, however it may well prove almost impossible to get started, even if the rewards might be great. So the experiments are interesting but unless PwP are prepared to start a vigourous exercise regime as soon as they are diagnosed I cannot see it helping the majority of PwP.

Don't get me wrong, I do believe in exercising. I was a person that exercised religiously 3 to 4 days a week 5 if I could sneak it in. I have always had a weight problem and learned early on that the only way I was going to stay slim and trim was to workout. 12 years into PD now, my workouts are not what they used to be. Not even close. It seems to me that if exercise was the key to curing or at least helping with PD symptoms, I would be much better off than I am today.

excellent point.
it will be interesting to see how the further study turns out. i imagine if it shows even short term inprovement they'll want to do a further study to see if it slows down progression with recently diagnosed patients.

i imagine they could do a statistical analysis of atheletes in non-contact sports for pd. and if they could find enough twins .....

Whether exercise merely provides a placebo effect or really slows disease progression, it is something positive we can do to fight this disease. There are degrees of exercise, however, and running a marathon is not something I would have considered on my best pre-Parkinson's day. I'm hoping doing soccer ball headers on Nintendo's Wii Fit has the same health benefit. LOL

The point is that the exercise in the experiments I heard about was FORCED exercise. The rodents were given a mild elactric shock if they slowed down(poor things) and the humans were originally on a tandem and are now on a biike that sets the pace.This means that they are exercising well out of their comfort zone.In a marathon you are exercising well out of your comfort zone.In daily exercise, if the majority are like me and not my husband, you push yourself but never to the stage of being really uncomfortable Ihave seen my husband finish a marathon, when he has had a bad one, nearly on his knees.Now he says it is not worth exercising if you do not have a fair degree of discomfort.Do not ask me what his motivation is as I do not know. Yes,you can speculate!!!!!.

Some may have read this before but I will repeat it.My husband has had a tremor in his Parkie side foot for near enough 26 years,maybe longer.The Parkinson's only fully showed itself when he damaged his Archilles tendon and had to lay off running for a while. To me, I think heavy strenuous forced pace exercise is important for PwP .To me whether it slows the progression, or just makes life easier at that time is the real question.

In the absence of a cure, I'm willing to try whatever can provide either and not cause harm.

Dear GregD:
I think that the feeling of wellbeing that exercise induces is very important whatever the 'scientific' explanation for it.
After all, what is the objective of parkinson's available medication other than masking the symptoms so that one feels better? as we all know that they don't provide a cure.

I think I may refer to my encounter with my new neuro doctor which I think is relevant.

Recently I had following conversation with my new neuro doctor which went like this after she made the objective medical examination:

Doctor: You have an advanced PD and you are exessively undermedicated.

me : But Doctor I am feeling really good apart from the action tremor which is uncomfortable to some degree. I have a life style suitable to my personality and I am having a good time.

Doctor: You are slow but you seem not to notice it.

me: Doctor, I know that I have a serious disease and I have adapted to it.

Doctor: You are denying your self a good quality of life.

me: but Doctor, I am really scared of L-dopa medication. Can you tell me what length of time it will work and possible side effects?

Doctor: No ..Nobody can tell but we will deal with it when it arises.

me: You mean more drugs.

Doctor: I don't know why you waited 6 months just to see me if you don't accept my medication. I am an expert in PD. (if this is your attidude) you should stick to your family doctor.

(me thinking I have no choice ! There are no option of having another doctor's opinion ..The Canadian health system in Calgary do not provide this 'luxury' and I waited 6 months for the appointment and was scared to loose the system support): ok doctor I have to go along.

The doctor put me on sinemet gradually increasing the dose to 9 of 100/25 a day.

By the way the doctor never smiled during the encounter and left us without saying good by but said she wants to see me in 3 months.

P.S.: I think I will start a new thread about this encounter.
Imad