Exercise may be medicine when it comes to Parkinson’s disease
January 3, 2023
John Brodhead – “Nordic John” – has spent his life pushing the envelope on skinny skis. From his legendary racing career at Vermont Academy in the 1960s- where he not only competed in cross-country skiing, but also in slalom, downhill and jumping- to his decades as head of the Craftsbury Outdoor Center, he embodies hard work. His approach to his latest challenge, a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease, has not wavered from his usual dogged determination.
“I haven’t had any medical people tell me that I shouldn’t go as hard as possible,” he says.
That’s exactly what he has continued to do. He will be a force to be reckoned with at the upcoming Masters World Cup cross-country ski competition. It may be the very best thing he can do in the face of his Parkinson’s diagnosis.
Parkinson’s: A Neurological Disease
Parkinson’s disease is a neurologic condition that affects both movement and thinking. It is caused by a problem with specific brain cells (neurons) that make a signaling chemical called dopamine. Dr. Jerry Vitek, the Chair of Neurology at the University of Minnesota, who specializes in movement disorders like Parkinson’s, explains.
“When you lose dopamine, the information processing that occurs in [your brain] that allows you to make normal movements is disrupted,” says Vitek. “And when that happens, people get classic symptoms like stiffness in the limbs.”
Other symptoms include slowness of movement, shaking or tremor, and walking and balance problems.
“We don’t really have an answer for what causes those cells to die over time,” says Vitek. “The question we have to ask ourselves is, until we can find what that reason is, and then find ways to prevent that, what are the things we can do to ameliorate the symptoms to make the quality of life better for people with Parkinson’s disease?”
Encouraging Parkinson’s patients to participate in vigorous exercise may be one of those things. We know exercise is anti-inflammatory and promotes biological processes that protect the function of our nervous system. We also know exercise affects signaling molecules, called hormones, involved in regulating stress, sleep, metabolism, and aging. What this translates to for regular exercisers with Parkinson’s is more time before significant declines in motor and cognitive symptoms, along with benefits for mental health and quality of life.
Ongoing studies at Northwestern University have shown that those with early Parkinson’s and higher self-reported physical activity levels can slow down the progression of their disease compared to their less active counterparts. This is true across the board, encompassing motor symptoms, cognitive decline, anxiety, depression, and impairment with activities of daily living.
Other studies at UCLA have found that while physical activity is protective, in general, a history of participation in competitive sports is particularly beneficial. A recent study conducted by investigators at the University of Indianapolis also yielded results suggesting the positive effects of high intensity exercise programs on outcomes in Parkinson’s patients.
Cross Country Skiing and Motor Memories
How does this apply to Nordic John? His high-intensity training regimen seems a key component of his success, but it may not be the only important ingredient in the recipe.
“He’s established some really significant neural pathways that are well integrated in his basic neural network,” says Vitek. “There is muscle memory. There’s no question that when you start to become proficient at something, you’ve clearly changed those connections and strengthened them.”
This is exactly the phenomenon Dr. Jun Ding and colleagues at Stanford University are studying in animal models of Parkinson’s disease. Ding’s work examines how motor memories are encoded, a process that involves an extensive network of neurons. Understanding how motor skills develop, and then how neurologic diseases like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and ALS affect these processes, directs the development of future treatments. It’s an area of active research that holds tremendous promise.
Nordic John, not one to wait, chooses hard training in the meantime. Along with helping him achieve his performance goals, it just may be staving off the worst symptoms of his Parkinson’s disease. “I’ve tried to not let it affect my lifestyle,” he says. “I still ski.”
