Exercise and Parkinson's
 

Treadmills?
Stationary Bikes?
Elliptical Trainer?

Is any one more suitable than the others for PWP?
We've tried a treadmill before, but he would end up with pulled/stiff muscles.

V finds it very difficult to walk.
The branch of Yoga that is Parkinson's friendly does not have an instructor here.
The yoga that he practiced with a non-specialised instructor kept putting his muscles into spasms, that now has been stopped.
Some stretching and mobility movements - thats all we do for now.

We need to add some aerobics.

Hi Isis,

Myself i use a treadmill and a stationary bike but again PD affects us all in a different way. I also have been using an execellent exercise program that was designed for PWP (People with Parkinson's). Delay the Disease by David Zid and Jackie Russell. Here is a link to the website .... http://www.delaythedisease.com/

I hope it helps,


GregD

Thanks Greg.
I think this exercise programme could really help.
I need to get to it asap.

This is not aerobic, but it has shown good results in treatment settings (this lady has actually done some research) and it doesn't throw me into spasms:

http://www.motivatingmoves.com/index.html

Really recommend it!

Hi Isis,

I found a book Yoga for Movement Disorders by Renee Le Verrier that I would recommend.
There is also a book by John Argue- Parkinson's Disease and the Art of Moving .

Hope this is of help.

Suzie

Check out the Pedaling for Parkinson's thread on this list.

What about a Wii fit? Seems it has good results with many PwP

Exercise
 

Hi:

I do a morning walk (about half an hour) which involves climbing a hill. I also do morning exercise for half an hour with a group. This includes stretching and both standing and seated exercises. In the later afternoon I get on my stationary bike for half an hour. Next to my computer there are a number of hand exercisers which I use. In my previous posts I have referred to the value (for me) of laughter. I usually get up at 5:30-6:00 AM and watch an hour of comedy programs on TV. The sillier the better. Somehow, starting the day with laughter is something I need to carry me through the day. Several months ago my wife took me to my neurologists appointment and, after examining me, the doctor asked to see her. They had one question for her. Lloyd seems so happy go lucky when he visits here but what is he like at home? She was happy to report that I am the same when I'm at home.

This does not mean that I am content with my life. As I have mentioned before, I used to hike and climb mountains. No more, largely because I have a tendency to trip. I've pretty much given up active research, confining myself to recording what others have done. Thank God for the internet. Well, enough of that. I have promised to give a talk on global warming and I have to get my slides together.

All the best,


Lloyd

That is a lovely post Lloyd - made me smile. Unfortunately V can not walk easily. There is a drag and now the dystonia that started around November - a couple of months after the Ropinerole was initiated - is an additional impediment. I am happy that you are able to be so positive.

Thank you to all of you - Sasha, Suzie, Nan and ECD for the suggestions and references. We are looking into every possibility.

I like to bike ride. My foot drags when I walk, so I can ride farther than I can walk. If balance is a problem, you can get a tricycle for adults. It is good to get out of the house. Riding a stationary bike would be very boring.

I also dance. My foot doesn't drag when I dance. If you are old enough to join a senior center, check out the dance and yoga classes there. Even though they may not be specific to Parkinson's, there will be people in the classes with other medical problems and the class will be tailored to suit seniors. It has been proven that dancing is good for people with Parkinson's.

Getting out of the house is good for keeping your spirits up.