Parkinson's disease attacks the nervous system, which in turn affects the affected person's ability to move their own body. It can cause a form of muscle stiffness and tremors. So far, no one has cracked the code on why Parkinson's occurs, but researchers are understanding more and more about this complex disease.
In Norway, there are approximately 8,000 people diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Worldwide, it is estimated that 200 out of a million people have this disease. The incidence increases with age.
One of those affected is Morten Karlsen (56) who has followed the Parkinson's program at Treningsklinikken in Trondheim. Another who has participated in the exercise clinic is Kjell Stokke (75).
For context, TreningsKlinikken is a private exercise clinic powered by Myworkout.
Kjell Stokke (75) was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease at the age of 67. By chance, he saw Treningsklinikken mentioned in the Adresseavisen newspaper and that patients with his diagnosis were now wanted at the clinic for treatment with exercise as medicine. He was then referred by his doctor.
"It was nice to come to Treningsklinikken. It's clear that it can be difficult to attend fairly heavy training sessions four days a week for four weeks. But I experienced good progress in both fitness and strength. This also had a lot to do with my balance. It became easier and easier to keep my balance on the treadmill." - Kjell Stokke (75).
The program is set up as Kjell describes. 4 sessions a week consisting of strength training with a focus on maximum strength and explosiveness as well as fitness, for 4 weeks.
"It's really nice to participate in organized training as it was at Treningsklinikken. There was registration of attendance and the results of the training, which was inspiring. I find that self-training without follow-up is easy to de-prioritize; I often let other things get in the way of training. It's crucial to have set times and people who make sure I show up, which inspires me to exercise. I wish that, together with Treningsklinikken, a binding training program was set up after the 4 weeks, with follow-up by Treningsklinikken. That would be inspiring. It's harder to achieve this on your own."
A new study first published on August 13, 2020 shows that maximum strength training on the extensor apparatus in the legs (performed as a squat/leg press) and the chest muscles (performed as a chest press) increases the ability to develop strength. This means that physical performance and nerve signal strength are improved by maximal strength training.
This in turn means that patients with Parkinson's disease who receive this type of exercise as part of their medication cope better with everyday life. The study shows that patients with this type of training improved their strength development capacity and ability to climb stairs, get up from a chair and walk. It is precisely this study that the Myworkout and TreningsKlinikken bases its offer to Parkinson's patients on.
"The rehabilitation program for people with Parkinson's disease is an outpatient program with 3-4 training sessions a week for one month. The content is mainly effective endurance and strength training with a focus on anti-Parkinsonian movements. In addition, outdoor training and education about exercise and Parkinson's disease are provided. To be referred to us at the Exercise Clinic, you must be referred via your GP and RVE or via a neurologist from St. Olav's Hospital. An exercise plan is drawn up and a therapist follows up with each individual."
- Karen Schei, physiotherapist and exercise physiologist at Treningsklinikken.
For Kjell Stokke (75), his stay at the TreningsKlinikken was useful, but it has been difficult to maintain his training on his own.
This is also consistent with the clinic's experience with this patient group:
"After a completed rehabilitation program, we see that the participants are more confident in training, have learned effective training methods for strength and fitness and how to make a progression in the training work. Focus on fast and explosive movements, long stride length, upper body rotation and arm swing. Some focus more on balance and functional movements than others. For some, being in a gym is a new experience and feels like a new and harmless situation. At the end of the rehabilitation period, participants are advised to continue training with a base of strength and fitness, but with fewer workouts than in the rehabilitation program. Others are recommended to continue training in organized forms to receive more follow-up."
- Karen Schei, physiotherapist and exercise physiologist at Treningsklinikken.
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