14 DAY TRIAL // Researchers writing in the journal Neurology argue that Parkinson's patients who take the time to go for brisk walks on a regular basis are likely to experience an improvement in their quality of life.
Thus, information obtained with the help of several dozen volunteers indicates that walking can alleviate some of the symptoms associated with said medical condition, EurekAlert informs.
According to study author Ergun Y. Uc, MD, walking benefits not just physical, but also mental health. What's more, this form of exercise has the potential to reduce overall tiredness.
The volunteers who took part in this investigation all went for 45-minute-long walks three times per week for a period of time of six months. Their average walking speed was 2.9 miles per hour (4.66 kilometers per hour).
As detailed in the journal Neurology, this exercise routine was eventually found to have improved motor function and mood by 15%, attention and response control scores by 14%, and to have reduced tiredness by 11%.
“The results of our study suggest that walking may provide a safe and easily accessible way of improving the symptoms of Parkinson's disease and improve quality of life,” Ergun Y. Uc commented on the outcome of this investigation.
Furthermore, “People with mild-moderate Parkinson's who do not have dementia and are able to walk independently without a cane or walker can safely follow the recommended exercise guidelines for healthy adults, which includes 150 minutes per week of moderate intensity aerobic activity, and experience benefits.”