These LI exercise classes can help relieve Parkinson's symptoms

For most of his 81 years, Frank Vivona, of St. James, considered himself a full-blown couch potato. “I didn’t exercise and, in fact, I never liked exercise,” said the retired schoolteacher.

But after 2019, when he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, a degenerative neurological disorder that affects muscle control primarily in older adults, he said exercise is his go-to for keeping symptoms at bay.

“My wife encouraged me to go, and since I’ve been going, my doctor says the exercise is helping,” said Vivona, who joined an exercise program at the Smithtown Parkinson Therapy Center, a nonprofit that offers individualized physical activities and exercise for people with Parkinson’s disease. “My balance, coordination and mobility improved, and I feel steadier.”

Vivona is one of 90,000 Americans diagnosed each year with Parkinson’s disease, characterized by trembling, stiffness, slowness and impaired balance, according to the Miami-based Parkinson’s Foundation. Due to an aging population and increasing life expectancy, the number of Parkinson’s disease diagnoses in the United States is projected to rise from about 1 million now to 1.2 million by 2030, according to the foundation. The average age for diagnosis is 60, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine, based in Baltimore.

Experts say multiple studies have shown that exercises like walking, cycling, yoga, tai chi and strength training may slow the progression of the disease and improve symptoms ranging from balance and mobility issues to depression, cognition and muscle stiffness. They caution that while exercise can’t reverse the disease, it can slow its progression and enhance overall quality of life.

“Many studies have come out over the past 10 to 20 years about the benefits of exercise in early Parkinson’s disease,” said Dr. Brian Dahlben, assistant professor of neurology in the Division of Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders at Duke Health in Durham, North Carolina. “While medications are very helpful for symptoms, they do not impact the progression of Parkinson’s. Exercise does have the potential to change the disease’s course.”

Exercise does have the potential to change the disease’s course.

- Dr. Brian Dahlben, assistant professor at Duke Health

He explained that Parkinson’s disease is caused by a deficiency of dopamine, a chemical messenger in the brain that is essential for controlled movements. Low levels of dopamine also can negatively affect mood, memory and cognition, he said. The cognitive impairments are dependent on the disease’s duration, he said, and those symptoms can include memory changes, slowed processing speed and difficulty finding words.

'Dance party'

After Elizabeth Haller’s Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2018, her doctor recommended exercise and a consultation with a physical therapist for help in addressing her physical challenges. “But I left there not knowing what to do next,” said the Bayville grandmother of four.

While searching online for exercise classes for people with Parkinson’s disease, the retired college professor, 76, said she came upon “Dance Party for Parkinson’s,” one of several types of virtual or in-person fitness programs on Long Island, where you can also find boxing, table tennis and tai chi classes specially designed for those with the disease.

In addition to walking a half-mile each day, she said she attends three of the dance classes offered per month at the Sid Jacobson Jewish Community Center in East Hills and the Mid-Island Y Jewish Community Center in Plainview.

“The instructors are very enthusiastic . . . they’re like DJs, and they play the Motown classics,” she said with a laugh. “The classes give me confidence when I walk. Afterward, I feel energized, like I can go out in the world and continue on.”

The classes give me confidence when I walk. Afterward, I feel energized, like I can go out in the world and continue on.

- Elizabeth Haller, Bayville resident

Beth Hochstein, 54, a Old Westbury resident and former podiatrist, who has been living with Parkinson’s disease since she was 37, founded the nonprofit Dance Party for Parkinson’s. “The class can be done in a chair or standing,” said the mother of two. “It’s leg and arm movement, but at the start there is a warm-up, and they do stretching and breathing exercises.”

The self-described fitness buff said the dance-based movement therapy helps her and others battling Parkinson’s to better cope with symptoms.

“I tell people, keep a positive attitude and make an exercise schedule to keep moving,” she said. “Exercise is good for your mental, physical and emotional state, and I think dance covers all three.”

How much exercise?

While experts say 2 1⁄2 hours of weekly exercise can improve declining quality of life in Parkinson’s disease, exercise intensity is critical for enhancing brain function, Dahlben said.

High-intensity exercise has been shown to have a “protective effect on brain cells and helps the body to use dopamine more efficiently,” said Valerie Rodriguez, a physical therapist and acting director of the Smithtown Parkinson Therapy Center. “This involves exercising at 80 to 85% of maximum heart rate, which may not be advisable for everyone — that’s why it’s important to check with your doctor before starting a new or intensive exercise program.”

The time of day for exercise matters, too, Dahlben said. “The best time to participate in exercise is when they feel ‘on’ or they are in a good, safe state to exercise.”

And there is another factor to consider, he said. “People should exercise based on their medication schedule. We don’t want people whose last dose of Levodopa — a medication that increases dopamine in the brain — is wearing off to start exercising.”

A Parkinson’s exercise program should include aerobics, strength training, balance and agility exercises and flexibility, said Rebecca States, professor of physical therapy and director of Wellness and Education for Parkinson’s Disease at Hofstra University in Hempstead.

“The main point is that those who are active stand to benefit for a variety of reasons compared with those who are sedentary,” said Dahlben, adding that the exercise “must be safe” and recommended individuals consult a physical therapist for guidance on proper exercise.

Jab, cross, jab

On a recent Friday, David Adler, 81, attested to the physical benefits of exercise. The Port Washington resident and retired dentist said he looks forward to Boxing for Parkinson’s offered at the Sid Jacobson Jewish Community Center, where the noncontact workout can be done while seated or standing. He said the 45-minute class not only challenges him physically but cognitively, because he has to “remember the instructions the trainer is providing.”

To enhance cognitive function, participants like Adler are required to repeat boxing commands like “jab, cross, jab, cross, reset,” said personal trainer Anthony Monferrato, who is certified in Parkinson’s-specific exercise programs. He said encouraging the participants to remember the order of the verbal cues and voice them while performing the movements challenges their cognition.

'A lifeline'

Linda Scanlon, 77, is a retired registered nurse who cared for Parkinson’s patients during her career. After she was diagnosed with the disease in 2022, the Commack grandmother said she “needed some support and was floundering and in denial.”

On her doctor’s recommendation, Scanlon began attending the Smithtown Parkinson Therapy Center.

“When you are exercising with everyone else, you feel rejuvenated,” she said. “I’m a lot less stiff, my muscles are more pliable, and I feel more in control. The day I do go and the next day, I’m walking better.”

In addition to reaping the physical benefits of exercise, Scanlon said she enjoys the “sense of community” and the bond she feels with the other participants, “because we are all there with the same problem. . . . I feel I was thrown a lifeline,” she said. “Everyone pushes every other person’s spirits up.”

Everyone pushes every other person’s spirits up.

- Linda Scanlon, Commack resident

According to the American Parkinson Disease Association, group exercise can also “benefit emotional well-being and lead to increased motivation, enhanced social interaction and self-confidence.”

Tai chi and dance classes for Parkinson’s disease have helped Julian Torres, 60, cope with his daily struggles. But the Glen Head resident said what he most enjoys is the camaraderie of the group.

“I have met friends in the classes, and we call each other and get together at each other’s homes,” said the retired baker, middle school basketball coach and grandfather of two.

“Sometimes you show up feeling sad and you don’t feel like doing much, and then you start, and they make you laugh.”