ORIGINAL
ARTICLE – abstractThe
effect of a 12-week low-impact exercise program for elderly people with
early parkinson’s disease in bone mineral density Lazaridis S. , Kitsios A. ,
Ioannidis T. , Zaggelidis G.
Department of Physical
Education
& Sports Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
Abstract
The
purpose of this study was to evaluate the
effect of an intervention exercise program for persons with
Parkinson’s disease on bone mineral density. 14 elderly
Parkinson Disease (PD) patients and 14 with no problem but serving as
control group took part in the study. Measurements including bone
mineral density (g/cm²) assessment with DEXA absorptiometry of
the hip and lumbar spine were tested before and after a 12-week
physical low-impact program. Treatment provided by community trainers
consisted of conscious movement control and low-impact resistance
training 3 times a week. The study revealed that patients had
significantly higher levels of bone density in their femor bone and
lumbar spine after it compared to baseline values. The same trend was
not found for the case of control group. The results support
application and development of the treatment concept and highlight that
physical activity at its simple status can improve function in
Parkinson’s disease patients. Progressive low-impact exercise
is a potentially effective method of increasing BMD in PD elderly
patients. If sustained, the increases in BMD may reduce the risk of
osteoporotic fracture.
Key
words:Parkinson’s
disease,
bone mass, elderly, physical activity
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