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The Science Behind Cardio and Parkinson’s


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


Why Cardio Is Non-Negotiable for Parkinson’s Disease


If strength training supports your muscles, cardio fuels your brain!

For people living with Parkinson’s disease, two or more days per week of moderate cardio is essential. Activities such as walking, dancing, boxing, cycling, swimming, pickleball, tennis, or golf can all play an important role.


Why does cardio matter so much?


Aerobic exercise:


  • Increases blood flow to the brain

  • Delivers more oxygen and glucose to brain cells

  • Stimulates nerve growth factors

  • Supports neuroplasticity

  • May promote neurogenesis in certain areas of the brain


Simply put, cardio helps keep your brain healthier and more resilient.

Cardio, or aerobic exercise, isn’t just good for the body — it’s powerful medicine for the brain. The brain is a highly vascular organ, meaning it relies heavily on blood vessels to deliver oxygen and nutrients. It uses about 10–20% of your daily energy. Every neuron depends on oxygen to function properly. There’s even a protective system called the Blood Brain Barrier (BBB) that transports nutrients into the brain through surrounding blood vessels.


When you perform aerobic exercise, all of your blood vessels become more efficient at delivering oxygen throughout the body — including to the brain. Research shows improvements in cognition such as memory (Erickson et al., 2019), enhanced motor learning (Singh et al., 2016), and increased neuroplasticity. Some animal studies even suggest aerobic exercise may stimulate new synapses — and potentially new neurons — in brain regions responsible for attention, learning, and memory (Swain et al., 2012; Salame et al., 2016).


Cardio and Bone Health: A Critical Connection


There’s another important conversation we must have: bone health.

People living with Parkinson's disease are at increased risk for falls due to changes in balance, posture, reaction time, and gait. At the same time, research shows individuals with Parkinson’s are also at higher risk for reduced bone mineral density and osteoporosis. That combination makes fractures more likely — and recovery more difficult.


This is why weight-bearing and impact-based exercise is so important.


When your feet strike the ground while walking…When you punch a heavy bag in boxing…When you perform sit-to-stands… Your bones receive a signal that says: Stay strong. Build density. Adapt. Bones are living tissue. They respond to stress. Without enough load, they weaken. With appropriate load, they strengthen.


Not all cardio builds bone.


  • Swimming and cycling are excellent for cardiovascular endurance.

  • Rowing and elliptical training are great options for joint-friendly conditioning.


But they do not replace the need for weight-bearing movement. To protect bone density, your weekly routine should include:


  • Walking 

  • Boxing

  • Jump rope (modified as needed)

  • Step drills

  • Marching or light jogging

  • Sit-to-stands

  • Agility drills

  • Light impact training when appropriate and safe


The goal is strategic variety — and intention.


What does cardio look like at Bridges for Parkinson’s?


You can expect cardio in every class, including:


  • Dynamic warm-up at the beginning of every Rock Steady class

  • Boxing

  • Interval drills on the recumbent bike

  • Music and Movement (Zoom class on Monday/Wednesday at 10:15am with Laura)

  • Agility exercises

  • Jump rope

  • Marching or jogging in place (and for extra fun, on the Bosu)

  • The ropes

  • Medicine ball drills

  • Walking “the track” at our gym

  • Sit-to-stands

  • Drumming


You can rest assured that cardio is built into every in-person and virtual class. However, you still need to challenge yourself to get at least two additional days of moderate aerobic exercise each week.


The Big Picture


Cardio supports brain health.Weight-bearing movement supports bone health.Together, they protect independence.

For individuals living with Parkinson’s, exercise is not optional — it is protective medicine.


The key is variety, consistency and intention.


And when we move with purpose, we’re not just exercising — we’re building resilience from brain to bone.








References:


Erickson KI, Hillman C, Stillman CM, et al. Physical activity, cognition, and brain outcomes: A review of the 2018 physical activity guidelines. Med Sci Sport Exerc. 2019;51:1242–1251. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000001936.


Ferrer-Uris, B., Ramos, M. A., Busquets, A., & Angulo-Barroso, R. (2022). Can exercise shape your brain? A review of aerobic exercise effects on cognitive function and neuro-physiological underpinning mechanisms. AIMS neuroscience, 9(2), 150–174. https://doi.org/10.3934/Neuroscience.2022009


Salame S, Garcia PC, Real CC, et al. Distinct neuroplasticity processes are induced by different periods of acrobatic exercise training. Behav Brain Res. 2016;308:64–74. doi: 10.1016/j.bbr.2016.04.029. 


Singh AM, Neva JL, Staines WR. Aerobic exercise enhances neural correlates of motor skill learning. Behav Brain Res. 2016;301:19–26. doi: 10.1016/j.bbr.2015.12.020.


Swain RA, Berggren KL, Kerr AL, et al. On aerobic exercise and behavioral and neural plasticity. Brain Sci. 2012;2:709–744. doi: 10.3390/brainsci2040709.

 
 
 

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