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- [Home](/)
- [Advancing Research](/advancing-research)
- [Survey Data & Community Insights](/advancing-research/survey-data)
 
 #  Exercise Professionals Survey 

 

   

  ## 💡 Quick Summary 

 - Most people with Parkinson’s increased their physical activity after diagnosis, with notable rises in balance/dual-tasking, strength training and stretching one year later.

- Working with trained exercise professionals — such as personal trainers or group instructors — helped people engage in more [aerobic](/blog/science-news/aerobic-exercise "Aerobic Exercise Positively Alters Parkinson’s Brain"), balance, strength and flexibility exercises.

- Some groups, including people living with PD for more than three years and those who were widowed, had a harder time finding safe, PD-appropriate exercise programs, highlighting the need for better access and tailored options.

 

   ![Two men exercising](/sites/default/files/styles/no_sizing/public/images/exerciseprofessionalssurvey.jpg?itok=Lr8Otuk_)  Exercise professionals can be key members of a Parkinson’s disease (PD) care team. It is important to understand best practices for exercise professionals for PD. The Parkinson’s Foundation is building a standard framework for these best practices, which includes looking at how exercise professionals contribute to Parkinson's care teams.

### About the Study

This survey was created with a person with Parkinson’s, an exercise physiologist and a physical therapist. It was reviewed by another person with Parkinson’s and two exercise professionals.

   59% 

of people exercised more after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

 

  30% 

of people took part in balance exercises.

 

  14% 

of people took part in strength training exercises.

 

 

 

 ### **Key Highlights**

Most (59%) people exercised more after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

 ![Exercise chart of change over one year](/sites/default/files/styles/no_sizing/public/images/exercisechart-changeoneyear.png?itok=8S6eBPcU)  More people said they took part in specific types of exercise one year after a Parkinson’s disease diagnosis. These types of exercise were balance and dual-tasking, strength training and stretching. They were all reported at higher rates one year after a Parkinson’s disease diagnosis (30%, 14% and 15% respectively).

 ![Exercise chart of types one year](/sites/default/files/styles/no_sizing/public/images/exercisechart-typesoneyear.png?itok=q5hq48mB)  Some people were more likely to have a difficult time finding exercise programs that could be safely modified for Parkinson’s disease. This included people who have had Parkinson’s for more than three years and those who were widowed.

 ![Exercise chart of newly diagnosed](/sites/default/files/styles/no_sizing/public/images/exercisechart-newlydiagnosed.png?itok=xUXjKBpg)  Working with a personal trainer or group exercise instructor led to an increase in certain types of exercise. People did more aerobic, balance and dual-tasking, strength training and stretching exercise.

 ![Exercise types chart](/sites/default/files/styles/no_sizing/public/images/exercisechart-types.png?itok=IM-JD3KF)   ###  Get Involved 

Join the Parkinson’s Foundation Surveys initiative to make sure your voice is heard!

 [SIGN UP](https://redcap.parkinson.org/surveys/?s=YARFFXAHEN&_ga=2.265818639.1496261139.1652100031-1865381441.1638284903&_gac=1.94826606.1651676943.Cj0KCQjwyMiTBhDKARIsAAJ-9VuA9LhkaX_vw87zghONLlxOi2PWufaUbS5-XCl5kKzUcq_HbR7-nSEaAiOjEALw_wcB) 

 

  ##  Related Materials 

   Audiobooks 

###  [ Fitness Counts: A Body Guide to Parkinson’s Disease ](/library/audiobooks/fitness) 



 [Listen Now](/library/audiobooks/fitness)

   Fact Sheets 

###  [ Parkinson's Exercise Recommendations ](/library/fact-sheets/exercise-recommendations) 



 [Read Now](/library/fact-sheets/exercise-recommendations)

   Podcasts 

###  [ Episode 129: Using the New Parkinson’s Exercise Recommendations as Part of Your Treatment Plan ](/library/podcast/129) 



 [Listen Now](/library/podcast/129)

  

  ##  Related Blog Posts 

   ![Couple outdoors stretching](/sites/default/files/styles/500x360/public/images/UseItLoseIt-Blog.jpg?h=07d237a8&itok=spWDRDXk)  

 Raise Awareness 

###  [ Use It or Lose It: It’s Never Too Late to Get Moving in Parkinson’s ](/blog/awareness/use-it-or-lose-it) 

 

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  ![Women exercising with weights](/sites/default/files/styles/500x360/public/images/strengthtraining-blog.jpg?h=ed9ce7df&itok=pl35ArGn)  

 Tips for Daily Living 

###  [ Parkinson’s Disease and Strength Training: Benefits ](/blog/tips/strength-training) 

 

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  ![Woman exercising with weights](/sites/default/files/styles/500x360/public/images/exercisestandards-blog.jpg?h=4766942b&itok=akywq3dN)  

 Raise Awareness 

###  [ Addressing Exercise Standards for Fitness Professionals Working with the Parkinson’s Community ](/blog/awareness/exercise-standards) 

 

  READ NOW  

 

  

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