The safety and feasibility of high-force eccentric resistance exercise in persons with Parkinson's disease.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effect of high-force eccentric resistance exercise on measures of muscle damage and injury in persons with mild to moderate Parkinson's disease (PD).


METHODS
Before-after trial.


METHODS
Tertiary care center clinical laboratory.


METHODS
Ten persons with PD (Hoehn and Yahr Staging Scale, stage 1-3).


METHODS
Participants trained 3 days a week for 12 weeks on an eccentric ergometer, performing high-force eccentric resistance exercise with bilateral lower extremities.


METHODS
Serum creatine kinase (CK) concentrations, muscle pain scores, and isometric force production were measured before, during, and after training.


RESULTS
Mean CK levels did not differ and did not exceed the threshold of muscle damage at any time point (P=.17). Muscle visual analog scale scores were low and only differed at week 2 (P=.04). Participants were highly compliant, whereas total negative work and isometric force increased over time (P=.02, P=.006, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Persons with mild to moderate PD can safely and feasibly participate in high-force eccentric resistance training. The data we present provide a basis for future investigations of the efficacy of this type of training on muscle size, strength, and mobility in persons with PD.
Dibble
Leland E
LE
Division of Physical Therapy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA. Lee.Dibble@hsc.utah.edu
Hale
Tessa
T
Marcus
Robin L
RL
Gerber
J Parry
JP
Lastayo
Paul C
PC
D000368:Aged; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000097:blood; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012449:Safety
D003402:Creatine Kinase