Given what Parkinson’s disease and other diseases take away, exercise returns plenty more.
Exercise, however, requires discipline. Many are the mornings in which I do not feel like swimming, walking or running. Though I’m well aware of the benefits of exercise, my body shouts, “I can’t do it this morning!”
Discipline is necessary to reap the benefits of exercise as it relates to Parkinson’s disease (PD). Discipline is easy to find when incentives exist to enable exercise. These incentives might include proximity to a workout facility, access to quality exercise machines and a personal trainer for coaching and mentoring.
1 of 2
Clarence Mingo runs outside along the Beech Woodland Trail at Rocky Fork Metro Park. Photos courtesy of Clarence Mingo
2 of 2
Although he sometimes wakes up and thinks,“I can’t do this today,” you’re very likely to see Mingo being active indoors or outdoors.
The opening of the Philip Heit Center for Healthy New Albany brought these incentives to New Albany. The impact is that fewer excuses than ever exist to prevent me from achieving 160 minutes of exercise per week. My confidence soars after completing a workout that, at the outset, seemed impossible to endure. The feeling of accomplishment and winning the fight against PD serve as powerful motivators for exercise.
PD is a progressive movement disorder with symptoms that worsen over time. Symptoms include tremor of the hands, arms, legs, jaw and face; slowness of movement; rigidity or stiffness of the limbs and trunk; and postural instability or impaired balance and coordination.
Nearly 1 million people in the U.S. have been identified as having PD. Despite high prevalence, the exact cause of PD is unknown. Moreover, the diagnosis can be difficult. What is known is that life with any neurological disorder can be cumbersome. The inability to quickly coordinate movements or maintain muscular endurance makes for difficult days.
These challenges are further complicated by the emotional strain of understanding and coping with a changing body. Although medication(s) can alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life, I have learned that exercise is an equally potent medication.
Exercise is an effective force to combat the physical and emotional toll of PD. Walking on a treadmill, using an elliptical and performing aquatic workouts greatly improve my ability to move without resistance.
A morning for me that begins with painful rigidity is quickly eased by 30 minutes of cardio and aquatic activity at the Heit Center. Although medications play a role in maintaining physical mobility, exercising under the right plan and in a great environment is proving invaluable. The benefits of routine exercise at the Heit Center abound beyond the physical realm. Emotionally, much-needed relief is found in hard work and sweat.
The result of this commitment to exercise is improved quality of life, better self-esteem and more optimism in the fight against the pervasive movement disorder known as Parkinson’s disease.
Clarence Mingo is Franklin County auditor and a New Albany resident. Feedback welcome at ssole@cityscenemediagroup.com.
Related Reads
New Albany couple’s healthy habits
