One of the most important, if not THE most important part of recovery from the debilitating side-effects of prostate cancer surgery and treatment is correcting postural deviations that are the result of muscle imbalances. We must re-educate the body to restore its’ normal balance.
The Men’s Health Network states that men die at higher rates than women from the top 10 causes of death: heart disease, cancer, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, accidents, pneumonia and influenza, diabetes, suicide, kidney disease…
Why seated exercise you may ask? Simple! When exercise is accessible, easy and comfortable for people, they will exercise more! A recent study linked physical inactivity to more than 5 million deaths worldwide per year more than those caused by smoking. The study revealed that only 20.6 percent of people surveyed met the total recommended amount of exercise — about 23 percent of all men surveyed and 18 percent of the women.
Athletes commonly complain about fatigue and feeling too tired, too often. Granted, many of them wake up at early o-thirty to run, attend a morning spin class, or row with the crew team. Some do killer workouts that would leave anyone feeling exhausted. Many routinely get too little sleep. And the question remains: How can I have more energy?
In the 2013 film Her, Theodore (Joaquin Phoenix) falls head over heels in love with his computer operating system. After meeting “her,” he never wants to be without her, and his life is changed forever. That’s how New Yorker Marian Rivman feels about her FitBit — the wearable activity tracker that counts her daily steps and the calories she burns and monitors her heart rate.
Many of us spend 8 hours or more sitting per day. Did you know that extended sitting, even for individuals who exercise 30 minutes per day, increases your risk for conditions like heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and even early death?
My clients commonly ask me What should I weigh? — as if I had a crystal ball. Although I could look at weight charts, I find charts to often be misleading; each athlete’s body is unique. I prefer to suggest an appropriate weight range for a person based on a conversation with them, not by looking at a chart. Yet, many athletes pick a number that sounds good for their ideal weight. Sound familiar?
When things get tough for you in terms of balancing your work, social and personal life, your workout routine may be the first thing listed off from your schedule, because of how much time it can take. However, with the right amount of nutritional and health care you can still manage your fitness routine in just half an hour each day! Just stay hydrated and find some time between your schedules to try these effective workouts!
Parkinson’s Disease is known as a motor system disorder and there is currently no cure. When individuals have decreased levels of dopamine changes start to begin. A tremor of the hands, face, legs, and other body parts may be noticeable at first then more pronounced symptoms become apparent when the disease progresses. At this point, individuals may have trouble walking, talking and participating in daily activities.
Exercise is known to help ease the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. In my experience, clients work on physical as well as vocal exercise. Each of my clients is doing something daily. It is good to mix up your workouts so you practice different movements. You may find yourself working with a Physical Therapist as well as Personal Trainer.
When working out in the gym, it is important to start with a ten minute warm- up and shorter sessions, slowly working up to a thirty minute workout. Seeking the help of a personal trainer is very beneficial since each person with Parkinson’s is different. Personal Trainers can prescribe safe exercises, and show you what level you should begin working out.
My client, Mary, works on a combination of different exercises such as, weight and cardiovascular training, Rock Steady Boxing (a kickboxing class for Parkinson’s Disease), LSVT BIG and LSVT LOUD. We rotate exercises each session so I can see what she is practicing and go over it with her.
The LSVT exercises are originally given by a Physical or Occupational Therapist. These are big movement exercises to help with stiffness and prevent shuffling of the feet. LSVT LOUD are vocal exercises which are prescribed by a Speech Language Pathologist. Click here to find an LSVT Practitioner in your area.
It is important to remember to take certain precautions when working out at home. Pick up your feet if you take walks to avoid falling and have someone go with you. Make sure to remove throw rugs in the room you choose to exercise in. Practice balance exercises near something that is sturdy to hold on to. Avoid working out in rooms with poor lighting so you do not trip.
In conclusion, exercise, is very important for anyone with Parkinson’s Disease. The more you move, the less stiff your joints will become. Land and pool exercises are a great choice for increasing flexibility, mobility, and balance. When working out at home, choose a safe environment that has bright lights and non slip floors.
Robyn Caruso is the Founder of The Stress Management Institute for Health and Fitness Professionals. She has 15 years of experience in medical based fitness. Contact Robyn by email at: tsmi.caruso@aol.com
References:
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/parkinsons_disease/parkinsons_disease.htm
http://www.webmd.com/parkinsons-disease/guide/parkinsons-exercise
http://www.webmd.com/parkinsons-disease/news/20121106/exercise-good-parkinsons