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Introducing a multifaceted exercise intervention particular to older adults diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease: a preliminary study

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Abstract

Background and aim

With a substantial increase in diagnosed Parkinson’s disease, it is of great importance to examine tolerance and physical measures of evolving exercise interventions. Of particular importance, a multifaceted exercise intervention combining active-assisted cycling and resistance training to older adults diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease is being assessed.

Methods

Fourteen older adults diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and ten healthy older adults (67.5 ± 7.9 years of age) engaged in an 8-week, 24-session, multifaceted exercise protocol. The protocol consisted of both active-assisted cycling and resistance training. Tolerance was measured, as well as multiple indicators of health-related physical fitness. These indicators examined improvements in cardiovascular performance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, and flexibility.

Results

Twenty-two older adults and older adults diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease tolerated the intervention by completing all 24 sessions. Repeated-measures analysis of variance demonstrated significant (P ≤ 0.003) improvements in cardiovascular performance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, and flexibility for both groups of individuals.

Discussion and conclusion

The multifaceted intervention is the first to combine both active-assisted cycling and resistance training. The older adult and the older adult diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease exhibited both tolerance and health-related improvements in physical fitness following the intervention.

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Acknowledgments

Funding was provided by a KSU EHHS Seed grant and a grant from The Foundation for Aging Studies and Exercise Science. We would like to thank Jacob Barkley, Ph.D., for statistical support. We would also like to thank the Kent State University graduate researchers including Robert Fioritto, Yong Suk Seo, Meghan Williamson, Keith Burns, Rachel Knepley, Andrew Carnes, and Brandon Pollock for training support.

Conflict of interest

There is no conflict of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Exercise and Sports Science, Nova Southeastern University, 3301 College Avenue, Parker 164, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33314, USA

    Corey A. Peacock

  2. Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, KY, 41099, USA

    Gabriel J. Sanders

  3. Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44240, USA

    Kayla A. Wilson, Duane B. Corbett, Kyle-Patrick A. von Carlowitz & Angela L. Ridgel

  4. West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA

    Emily J. Fickes-Ryan

Authors
  1. Corey A. Peacock
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  2. Gabriel J. Sanders
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  3. Kayla A. Wilson
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  4. Emily J. Fickes-Ryan
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  5. Duane B. Corbett
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  6. Kyle-Patrick A. von Carlowitz
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  7. Angela L. Ridgel
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Corey A. Peacock.

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Peacock, C.A., Sanders, G.J., Wilson, K.A. et al. Introducing a multifaceted exercise intervention particular to older adults diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease: a preliminary study. Aging Clin Exp Res 26, 403–409 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-013-0189-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-013-0189-4

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