New Exercise Recommendations for Parkinson’s

New Release

Exercise Guidelines for Parkinson's Disease

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In the May of 2021, the Parkinson’s Foundation (PF) and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) released updated guidelines about physical activity for people living with Parkinson’s disease(PD) and certified exercise professionals who work with people with PD.

Research has clearly shown that regular and consistent physical activity is beneficial for all adults. However, it is critical for those living with a progressive neurological condition such as PD.

These recommendations were developed with input from a group of experts in exercise programming for PD including researchers, physical therapists, physicians, exercise professionals and community-based exercise providers.

These guidelines recommend 150 minutes (2.5 hours) a week of moderate to vigorous exercise in four domains:

  • stretching
  • strength training
  • aerobic activity
  • balance/agility/multitasking

For details on the specific recommendations, this infographic offers details on frequency, intensity, time, type, volume and progression.

The PF recommends sharing this information with your exercise professionals and healthcare providers to ensure the safety and effectiveness of prescribed programs.

About the Author

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Heather Simpson, OTR/L

Heather Simpson graduated with a B.S. in Exercise and Sport Science with a minor in Early Education from the University of Florida in 2007. Following…

Read all articles by Heather Simpson, OTR/L