Physical activity and exercise participation—Impact on motor and non‐motor outcomes in early‐stage
Parkinson
disease: A cross‐sectional study
Cecilie Thrue, Frederik Bonde‐Jensen, Lars G. Hvid, Ulrik Dalgas, Martin Langeskov‐Christensen Abstract
Background
Aerobic exercise is beneficial in managing Parkinson disease (PD), yet its potential remains less clear in early stages. This study investigates the impact of long‐term aerobic exercise habits in individuals with early‐stage PD compared with healthy controls.
Design
Cross‐sectional study.
Objectives
To evaluate whether long‐term exposure to moderate‐ to high‐intensity exercise was associated with more favorable physical, cognitive, and patient‐reported outcomes in early PD, by comparing “highly active” individuals (self‐reported moderate‐ to high‐intensity aerobic exercise ≥ twice weekly for >3 months) with “low‐active” individuals (self‐reported moderate‐ to high‐intensity aerobic exercise ≤ twice weekly for >3 months) and healthy controls.
Setting
University.
Participants
Seventy low‐active individuals with PD, 35 highly active individuals with PD, and 35 healthy controls were included.
Interventions
Not applicable.
Main Outcome Measure(s)
Assessments included Timed Up and Go Test, Six Spot Step Test, 6‐Minute Walk Test, Mini Balance Evaluation Systems Test, Lower Extremity Muscle Peak Power, Aerobic Capacity, Physical Activity, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Symbol Digit Modalities Test, Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire, Non‐Motor Symptoms Questionnaire, Falls Efficacy Scale‐International, European Quality of Life Questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory‐II, and Movement Disorders Society‐sponsored revision of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale.
Results
Highly active individuals with PD outperformed low‐active individuals with PD ( p < .05) in physical function outcomes, motor symptom severity, physical activity levels, and nonmotor symptoms, while showing comparable results to healthy controls across several tests covering physical and cognitive function and physical activity level. Low‐active participants showed impairments in several physical function and activity outcomes relative to healthy controls ( p < .05). Cognitive function outcomes were comparable across the PD groups, but healthy controls performed better in processing speed ( p < .05). No significant differences were found between participant groups in quality of life or depressive symptoms.
Conclusions
Regular engagement in moderate‐ to high‐intensity aerobic exercise in early PD may preserve physical function, suggesting a potential role in limiting disease‐related motor decline. These findings support the consideration of early, high‐intensity aerobic exercise interventions as part of a comprehensive management strategy for PD.