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Make Your Move
Exercise is a powerful tool — one that we all have at our fingertips — for body , brain , and mental and emotional health . It has many potential benefits and few possible side effects . And it ’ s widely available , low-cost and suitable for any age , medical condition or location . If exercise could be bottled , it ’ d sell better than any medication on the market .
Exercise Protects the Brain
Tsukita , et al ., Neurology , 2022
Using data from MJFF ’ s Parkinson ’ s Progression Markers Initiative ( PPMI ) study , researchers examined the longterm effects of regular physical activity and exercise habits on the course of PD . Maintenance of regular physical activity levels and exercise habits was associated with a better clinical course of PD , with each type of physical activity having a different effect .
Most of us are familiar with the physical , or body , benefits of exercise : a strong heart , and strong bones and muscles . But exercise can also build a stronger brain ! It does this by making growth factors , or “ brain fertilizer ,” which lead to new brain cells , sturdier connections between cells , better blood flow and less inflammation . This is called neuroprotection , and it ’ s how exercise could potentially delay , slow and even prevent disease like Parkinson ’ s .
Exercise also encourages the brain to rewire or reorganize — to build new communication pathways that lessen or overcome disease symptoms or damage . It ’ s like finding a less-traveled detour that bypasses a blocked road while driving . An example is regaining movement after a stroke . This is called neuroplasticity , and it ’ s another way exercise might slow Parkinson ’ s progression . That ’ s something no medication or other treatment has yet been proven to do , although research in this area is active and promising .