By Gabe Sanders PhD, NSCA-CSCS
High-intensity training has become very popular in the world of exercise, fitness, and sports performance. While many people believe this form of exercise is very beneficial for healthy individuals, few people believe that it could benefit individuals with chronic diseases. The skepticism is because high-intensity exercise requires an individual to exercise or lift weights very hard, and then repeat that exercise or lift again with very minimal rest and recovery period.
A good high-intensity workout for a healthy, fit, endurance runner may require a person to run one lap around the track (which is 400 meters), rest for one minute, and then repeat the 400-meter run three to four more times. For individuals with chronic disease, the high-intensity training concept would be similar; however, the type and intensity of exercise would look much different. Interestingly, new research suggests that high-intensity training appears to be very healthy and beneficial for Parkinson’s disease patients.
High-intensity training beneficial for Parkinson’s disease
A recent study found that high-intensity training was effective for Parkinson’s disease patients with moderate to advanced symptoms. After 16 weeks of training, the patients improved their total body strength by 30-56%, their balance improved by 34%, and they reported feeling less fatigued. These numbers are astonishing and very encouraging for individuals with chronic disease, more specifically those with Parkinson’s disease.
In the aforementioned study, the patients completed the following routine for 35-45 minutes, 3 days per week, while attempting to keep their heart rate (HR) elevated.
5-minute warm-up on a bike
5 resistance exercises (leg press, chest press, shoulder press, lateral pulldown, knee extensions)
3 sets per exercise at 8-12 reps were completed
You should feel slightly fatigued after each resistance exercise is completed
IMPORTANT *Between each resistance exercise, patients complete 1-2 bodyweight exercises, as opposed to rest periods.
Body weight exercises:
1. Body squats
2. Push-up
3. Lunges
4. Modified dips
Although this is the similar routine that was used in the study, there are other variations/ exercises that can be used, if you choose.
*For more examples of other variations/exercises look under Multimedia-VDF Exercise Tips
**Consult with a physician and/or medical healthcare provider before starting any exercise regimen
Article’s Sources
Kelly NA, Ford MP, Standaert DG, Watts RL, Bickel CS, Moellering DR, Tuggle SC, Williams JY, Lieb L, Windham ST, Bamman MM. Novel, high-intensity exercise prescription improves muscle mass, mitochondrial function, and physical capacity in individuals with Parkinson's disease. Journal of Applied Physiology. 2014. 116:(5) 582-592