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How Often Should Someone With Parkinson’s Exercise? (And Why Frequency Matters)

Written by:

Colleen Bridges M.Ed, NSCA-CPT, PDFS, Belmont University Occupational Therapy Advisory Board, 2020 MedFit Education Professional of the Year

& Renee Rouleau- M.S. Neuroscience and Bridges for Parkinson’s Medical Science Advisor


One of the most common questions I am asked is:

“How many days a week should I exercise if I have Parkinson’s?”


The answer may surprise you—but it’s also empowering.

5 to 6 days per week.


This isn’t about overdoing it or pushing your body to exhaustion. It’s about consistency. Research shows that regular, ongoing exercise can have what scientists call a neuroprotective effect—meaning it may help protect the brain and potentially slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease.


The benefits of exercising frequently include:

  • Enhance dopamine signaling

  • Help preserve existing brain cells

  • Improve mood and memory

  • Support neuroplasticity (the brain’s ability to adapt and rewire)

  • Potentially promote the growth of new neurons


In other words, exercise doesn’t just help your muscles—it helps your brain.

Sporadic workouts simply don’t provide the same neurological benefit. Parkinson’s responds best to regular movement, repeated patterns, and intentional challenges to both the body and the brain.

That’s why we emphasize frequency so strongly at Bridges for Parkinson’s. Movement isn’t just something you do when you “feel like it.” For PD, movement is part of your daily medicine cabinet.


So, what does a weekly workout schedule look like for someone living with Parkinson’s Disease? 

  • 2-3x a week a Comprehensive Exercise Plan provided by Bridges for Parkinson’s!Classes work on:

    • Cardio

    • Strength

    • Balance

    • Movement in multiple planes of motion

    • Coordination

    • Agility

    • Dual and Triple Tasking

    • Fine Motor 

    • Voice and Facial Skills

    • Cognitive skills

  • 2x a week of moderate cardio - walk, bike, hike, swim, pickle ball, golf etc. 

  • 1x a week of Tai Chi, yoga or stretch class. ALL of which we offer at Bridges for Parkinson’s!


We know that exercising consistently isn’t something a lot of people want to do, especially during the chilly months of winter. However, having an exercise routine helps not only your body, but your brain! For instance, research has shown through several observational group studies that those who maintained exercise routines (like the ones listed above) showed slower disease progression long term, in both motor and non-motor symptoms (Tsukita et al., 2022)! And what’s more is that routine exercise boosts mood entirely, meaning any baseline anxiety or depression improves based on how much movement you do regularly (Harro et al., 2022). 


It can even change your brain chemistry, which has been demonstrated in early pilot studies looking at aerobic exercise (which can be done in Bridges for Parkinson’s Classes) and neuroprotection. Researchers found that even in these small cohorts of people with PD, there was a significant increase in neuroprotective agents that help to keep remaining dopamine cells healthy, while decreasing inflammatory pathways that could hurt dopamine signalling (Ishaq et al., 2025). These and many more studies help solidify that movement is medicine for both the body and the brain.


And when that “medicine” is taken consistently, something powerful happens.

Movement becomes more than medicine—it becomes a miracle.


References:

​​Harro, C. C., Shoemaker, M. J., Coatney, C. M., Lentine, V. E., Lieffers, L. R., Quigley, J. J., … & Khoo, S. K. (2022). Effects of nordic walking exercise on gait, motor/non-motor symptoms, and serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor in individuals with Parkinson's disease. Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences, 3. https://doi.org/10.3389/fresc.2022.1010097

Ishaq et al., "Effects of exercise training on nigrostriatal neuroprotection in Parkinson’s disease: a systematic review," Frontiers in Neuroscience, vol. 17, no. 1464168, 2025. Online. Available: https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2024.1464168.

Tsukita, K., Sakamaki‐Tsukita, H., & Takahashi, R. (2022). Long-term Effect of Regular Physical Activity and Exercise Habits in Patients With Early Parkinson Disease. Neurology, 98(8). https://doi.org/10.1212/wnl.0000000000013218

 
 
 
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