title: Power training induced change in bradykinesia and muscle power in Parkinson's disease.
abstract: Power-based resistance training (PWT), using low load and high velocity, can improve physical function and quality of life in older persons. Patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), exhibiting muscular weakness and reduced movement speed, have been shown to be benefit from resistance training; however, little is known about the advantages of PWT for PD.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effects of PWT on bradykinesia and muscular performance in older patients with PD.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-six patients with mild to moderate PD were randomly assigned to a PWT or control group (CON). The PWT program was three months, incorporating two sessions/wk of high-speed resistance training combined balance and agility drills. Outcome measures included: upper and lower limb bradykinesia scores, one repetition maximums (1RM) and peak powers on biceps curl, chest press, leg press, hip abduction and seated calf, and quality of life (PDQ-39).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The PWT group produced significant improvement in both upper and lower limbs bradykinesia scores, 1RM and muscle peak power (p < .05), which surpassed the CON group except for power during the seated calf exercise. No significant correlations between changes in clinical measure of bradykinesia and muscle peak power were observed after training. Significant improvements were seen in the PDQ-39 overall score, subsections for mobility, activities of daily living and social support for the PWT group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The 3-month PWT program significantly reduced bradykinesia and increased muscle strength and power in older patients with PD. Power training is an effective training modality to improve physical function and quality of life for PD.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Neuromuscular Research and Active Aging, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Meng
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ni
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Neuromuscular Research and Active Aging, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA; Center on Aging, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA. Electronic address: jsignorile@miami.edu.
authors.forename: Joseph F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Signorile
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Neuromuscular Research and Active Aging, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Anoop
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Balachandran
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Neuromuscular Research and Active Aging, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Melanie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Potiaumpai
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018476:Hypokinesia / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011788:Quality of Life; D055070:Resistance Training / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Movement speed; Physical function; Power; Quality of life; Strength