The Role Exercise Plays

Exercise and Parkinson’s Disease: What You Need to Know
Adapted from an article by Dr. Nina Browner on the parkinson.org website

There is growing evidence that exercise can help keep Parkinson’s symptoms at bay. Nina Browner, MD, advises her PD patients to begin vigorous exercise immediately on diagnosis and, if possible, to continue throughout the course of the disease for as long as they are able to exercise. She means it when she says “vigorous.” She wants her patients “to break a sweat” when they exercise, or to  exercise at a speed in which they cannot carry on a conversation. Even at the latter stages of PD, when falls and postural instability becomes the main restriction for vigorous exercise, she advises patients to focus on flexibility and lower-extremity strengthening exercises in a sitting position. Any exercise, whether it is done alone or in a group, at home or in community settings, may improve the patient’s feeling of self-worth and help prove to them that they have the ability to resist the symptoms of their disease.  

FREE Exercise Program

Date and time: M-W-F from 9:00 to 9:45 (Check current calendar for any changes)

Place: Valley Presbyterian Church, 2800 Camino del Sol, Green Valley, AZ 85622

Thanks to the support of the Arizona Chapter of the APDA and our grant from White Elephant, we are able to offer this class free of charge.

Classes are taught by Mia Cooper, certified personal trainer. In addition to doing in-home personal training, Mia has taught chair exercise classes at Valley Presbyterian (including our Parkinson's Exercise Class), Our Lady of the Valley and Ladies Workout Express. She also leads the monthly fitness orientations for Green Valley Recreation, and beginning in February, 2011, she will be teaching classes focusing on strength and balance for Valley Assistance Services.

The classes Mia teaches for our group focus on developing and maintaining strength, balance, flexibility and toning. For variety, Mia uses a DVD of aerobic chair dancing and John Argue's DVD, Parkinson's Disease and The Art of Moving. Mia’s cheerful personality makes working out a pleasure! We look forward to you joining us. You do not need to let us know if you are coming—just show up ready for a great time!