Pilates Classes and Physiotherapy | Brisbane | Agility Physio and Pilates

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Pilates Classes and Physiotherapy | Brisbane | Agility Physio and Pilates > Exercise
Exercise for elderly with Parkinson’s disease

Exercise and Parkinson’s Disease – Start Early and Keep Moving

June 1, 2021 Exercise, Fitness 1 Comments

New recommendations about physical exercise for people living with Parkinson’s disease have just been released from the USA by the Parkinson’s Foundation and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) to provide effective and safe guidelines about physical activity for people with Parkinson’s disease and certified exercise professionals.

“The recommendations followed a recent meeting convened in the USA by the Parkinson’s Foundation, which included experts in exercise programs and research, physical therapy, exercise certification, medicine, and Parkinson’s community-based exercise programs.

The exercise guidelines are built upon science-based standards for exercise testing and prescription by the ACSM, which is an organization dedicated to advancing and integrating research to improve practical applications of exercise science and sports medicine.

Research studies, including the Parkinson’s Outcomes Project — the largest clinical study of Parkinson’s including more than 13,000 participants in five countries — have revealed that those who exercise experience a better quality of life and decreased symptoms compared to those who do not. Such symptoms include balance and mobility difficulties, as well as depression, constipation, and thinking skills.

The guidelines recommend three days per week for at least 30 minutes per session of continuous or intermittent aerobic exercise at moderate-to-vigorous intensity. This includes rhythmic activities such as fast-walking, running, cycling, swimming, or aerobics class. Supervision may be required due to safety concerns such as the risk of freezing gait, blunted heart rate, or low blood pressure.

Two to three non-consecutive days per week for at least 30 minutes per session are recommended for strength training. Each session should include 10 to 15 repetitions focusing on major muscle groups, resistance, and speed and power. Using weight machines, resistance bands, handheld weights, or bodyweight to exercise the upper and lower extremities is suggested. Muscle stiffness and posture instability should be considered.

For balance, agility, and multitasking, the guidelines recommend two to three days per week of multi-directional stepping, weight-shifting, balance activities, large movements, and activities such as yoga, tai chi, dance, or boxing. Supervision may be required due to safety regarding cognitive and balance problems.

Finally, the recommendations include two to three days per week of sustained stretching with deep breathing or stretching before exercise. Adaptations for flexed posture, osteoporosis (bone loss), and pain needs to be considered. “STEVE BRYSON PHD – PARKINSONS NEWS

Exercising under the supervision of Allied health practitioners such as physiotherapists and exercise physiologists helps all Parkinson’s clients exercise safely and effectively. At Agility Health Centre our qualified exercise professionals use evidence-based guidelines to assist all our clients meet their goals. With our modern facilities and the recent addition of a gym we can offer

  • Consultation, planning and monitoring of a client specific exercise programme that will be meet these guidelines
  • Supervised gym sessions in our rehab gym in Ascot
  • Clinical Pilates sessions for strength and balance
  • Bones and balance classes
  • KLT classes specifically designed for Parkinson’s disease
  • Cardio programmes on bikes and treadmill
  • Group hydrotherapy classes at Ascot Aquatic centre conducted by our EPs
  • Big Moves dance classes
  • Aerobics and Stretching classes for Parkinson’s clients

 

Call us to make an appointment with one of our health professionals to discuss your needs and goals. Ph 3862 2322 We are conducting classes at our Ascot and Bulimba locations.

Hypermobility and Physiotherapy

Hypermobility and Physiotherapy

March 25, 2021 Exercise, Fitness 1 Comments

While we often admire the extreme range that some people with hypermobility can achieve, many hypermobility conditions can cause joint pain, tiredness and even dislocating joints.

Maria Yee, one of our physiotherapists was a dancer and still keeps fit with dance. She personally understands the challenges of hypermobility.

Maria consults with many young dancers and children in general with hypermobility syndromes. Many of these children and adolescents are training hard under her supervision in our Pilates studio at Quay Street, Bulimba to develop strength and control. Many are dancing at high levels and performing well due to her great management of their conditions and their strengthening programmes. She also has a number of adult clients managing their hypermobility conditions with regular specific Clinical Pilates. Here is her research into this condition.

What is joint hypermobility?

Joint hypermobility is the capability of a joint to move (passively or actively) beyond normal limits. The term generalized joint hypermobility is used to describe someone with hypermobility in multiple joints. An easy test is via the Beighton scoring system, where a score above 5 is indicative of the presence of generalized hypermobility:

What are the causes of hypermobility?

There are different contributors to hypermobility, a few of which are listed below:

Training habits

Certain sports such as dance and gymnastics dedicate significant hours of training to increasing flexibility. Such flexibility training can stretch ligaments, joint capsules and other connective tissues and render a joint hypermobile. Traumatic injuries or recurrent sprains can also lead to a hypermobile, unstable joint. People with hypermobility often tend to choose dance and gymnastics as their sport as they can easily move into the flexible joint positions they require.

Genetics & Ethnicity

Genetic differences in collagen quality can render connective tissues such as skin, ligaments and joint capsules weaker and more elastic than normal. Africans, Asians and Middle Easterners also have a higher prevalence of hypermobility compared to other races.

Gender

Females are more likely to be more hypermobile than men.

Age

Collagen fibres are more elastic in children which means they tend to have more predisposition for hypermobility. Connective tissue becomes less stretchy and hydrated with age.

Symptomatic generalized joint hypermobility

The presence of generalized joint hypermobility is in itself not a medical condition, and can be asymptomatic in some cases. However, it can also exist as part of a more complex connective tissue related conditions, such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Marfan syndrome, Osteogenesis imperfecta, and Downs syndrome. Consult your healthcare professional if you also have:

  • Chronic multi-joint pain
  • Chronic muscle pain
  • Thin, stretchy skin
  • Recurrent joint dislocations
  • Fatigue
  • Anxiety-type disorders
  • Pelvic and bladder dysfunction
  • Gastrointestinal disorders

These can be symptoms of hypermobile-Ehlers Danlos (h-EDS) or Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD) and can impact seriously on quality of life. Prompt recognition and management by a team of health professionals is required.

A physiotherapist will be able to assist in prescribing suitable exercises for core, upper and lower limb strengthening. Pilates, swimming and a walking program are usually prescribed to strengthen muscles, build muscle tone and reduce recurrences of joint pain and dislocations.

Children and adolescents with hypermobility should be guided into sport and exercise pursuits that are smooth and don’t have sudden stopping and change of direction. Avoid contact sports , netball, martial arts.

Choose sports like swimming, walking and recreational jogging. Dance is usually fine if accompanied with strengthening exercises. Avoid doing lots of stretches if you know you are hypermobile.

Find a physiotherapist who understands your condition and can give you the individual advice you need to manage hypermobility.

We have a great team of sports and dance physiotherapists at our 130 Quay street, Bulimba practice and at our other practice at 188 Nudgee Road, Ascot who can help.

References

Castori M, Tinkle B, Levy H, Grahame R, Malfait F, Hakim A., 2017, “A framework for the classification of joint hypermobility and related conditions.”, Am J Med Genet Part C Semin Med Genet, 175C:148–157.

Engelbert RH, Juul-Kristensen B, Pacey V et al., 2017, “The evidence-based rationale for physical therapy treatment of children, adolescents, and adults diagnosed with joint hypermobility syndrome/hypermobile Ehlers Danlos syndrome.” Am J Med Genet Part C Semin Med Genet 175C:158-67.

Malfait F, Francomano C, Byers P et al., 2017, “The 2017 international classification of the Ehlers-Danlos syndromes.”, Am J Med Genet C Semin Med Genet, 175(1): 8-26.