## Breadcrumb - [Home](/) - [Resources & Support](/resources-support) - [For Professionals](/resources-support/professionals) - [Resources by Discipline](/resources-support/professionals/resources) ## Breadcrumb - [Home](/) - [Resources & Support](/resources-support) - [For Professionals](/resources-support/professionals) - [Resources by Discipline](/resources-support/professionals/resources) # Exercise Professionals ![Personal trainer working with a man who is doing sit ups with a medicine ball](/sites/default/files/styles/no_sizing/public/images/ExerciseProfessionals.png?itok=MfV2r99W) Exercise is increasingly accepted as an adjunct treatment for Parkinson’s disease (PD) that is associated with slower declines in mobility and improved quality of life. Exercise professionals provide leadership, expertise and programs to help people living with Parkinson’s achieve their goals and manage their [**Parkinson’s symptoms**](/understanding-parkinsons/movement-symptoms "Movement Symptoms"). These professionals should be considered an integral part of the [**interprofessional care team**](/resources-support/professionals/in-person-learning/team-training "Team Training") for people with Parkinson’s. ### The Challenge Despite the important role exercise professionals play in the care of people with Parkinson’s, as recent as 2022, there were no unified procedures in place to define competence of exercise professionals working with people with Parkinson’s. Anyone could teach exercise to people with Parkinson’s and community assumed they are competent. This made it increasingly difficult for people with Parkinson’s and healthcare providers to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of programs, as well as the skills and experience of the instructor. ## Parkinson’s Foundation Exercise Guidelines for People with Parkinson’s As a leader in driving better health outcomes and quality of life for people with Parkinson’s, the Parkinson's Foundation along with the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) has created Exercise Guidelines for people with Parkinson’s. The Parkinson’s Foundation Exercise Guidelines provide direction to help people with Parkinson’s maintain or improve their health through physical activity. These guidelines were developed and reviewed by a panel of exercise and Parkinson’s experts. They were built upon existing exercise guidelines, supplemented by physical therapy resources, PD-specific exercise research and expert opinions. The guidelines include recommended frequency, intensity, time, type and progression of exercises that are safe and effective for people with Parkinson’s across four domains: 1. Aerobic 2. Strengthening 3. Flexibility 4. Balance, Agility & Multitasking ## Parkinson's Foundation Exercise Guidelines ### Exercise Guidelines for Professionals Explore guidelines created for exercise professionals who work with people living with Parkinson's. [Read Now](/sites/default/files/documents/Parkinsons-Exercise-Guidelines-1025.pdf) ### Exercise Recommendations Infographic Learn how to improve movement and non-movement symptoms of PD through exercise. [View Now](/sites/default/files/documents/parkinsons_exercise_recommendations_infographic_2025.pdf) ### Exercise Recommendations Infographic - Spanish Access our exercise recommendations in Spanish. [View Now](/sites/default/files/documents/parkinsons_exercise_recommendations_infographic_2025-Spanish.pdf) ## Exercise and Movement Education Accreditation ![Exercise and Movement Provider badges](/sites/default/files/styles/380x361/public/images/education-provider-badges.png?itok=DKt7Idcc) The Parkinson’s Foundation Education Accreditation Recognition Program distinguishes top-quality exercise and movement education programs and courses designed specifically for Parkinson’s disease (PD). These programs meet the Foundation’s rigorous Criteria for Exercise & Movement Education Curriculum and Competency Framework for Exercise & Movement Professionals. Our goal is to reduce variability in training, elevate professional standards and ensure that every person with Parkinson’s receives high-quality, evidence-based programming. If you’re an exercise or movement professional looking to further your knowledge and skill in Parkinson’s and exercise and movement modalities, we encourage you to attend any of the following Parkinson’s Foundation accredited programs and courses! [View all Parkinson's Foundation Exercise and Movement Accredited Providers.](/resources-support/professionals/special-programs/accreditation#program "Exercise and Movement Education Accreditation") [LEARN MORE](/resources-support/professionals/special-programs/accreditation "Exercise and Movement Education Accreditation") ### Education & Training Parkinson’s Foundation Education Series for Community Providers To help healthcare professionals deliver culturally competent, high-quality Parkinson’s care, the Parkinson’s Foundation, with support from the CVS Health Foundation, developed a free, six-part series of self-paced online accredited courses that offer valuable information to those who care for people with PD. [REGISTER NOW](https://education.parkinson.org/professional-education/content/education-series-community-providers) ### Parkinson’s Foundation Exercise Convening In 2020, the Parkinson’s Foundation convened a meeting with a group of experts to update Parkinson’s exercise guidelines and build a competency framework for exercise professionals. Read the Exercise Convening Summary Report now. [View Online](https://cdn.flipsnack.com/widget/v2/widget.html?hash=vp3ycpz2gx) [Download PDF](/sites/default/files/documents/FINAL_Exercise-ConveningReport5.5.21.pdf) ## Resources for Your Patients - ### Publications - [**Fitness Counts, A Body Guide to Parkinson’s Disease**](https://secure3.convio.net/prkorg/site/Ecommerce/2113213214?VIEW_PRODUCT=true&product_id=1067&store_id=4003) - [**Managing Parkinson’s Mid-Stride: A Treatment Guide to Parkinson’s**](https://secure3.convio.net/prkorg/site/Ecommerce/701298997?VIEW_PRODUCT=true&product_id=1621&store_id=4003&_ga=2.87360792.1804322650.1565015268-1342868735.1549912294) - ### Fact Sheets - [**Exercise and Parkinson’s**](/sites/default/files/documents/exercise_parkinsons_2021.pdf "exercise_parkinsons_2021.pdf") - [**Falls Prevention**](/sites/default/files/documents/Fall-Prevention-2024.pdf "Fall-Prevention-2024.pdf") - [**Physical Therapy and PD**](/sites/default/files/documents/physical_therapy_parkinsons_2022_0.pdf "physical_therapy_parkinsons_2022.pdf") - ### Expert Briefing Webinars - [**Freezing or Sweating Falls When Walking with PD**](https://youtu.be/RUsDVuN606I) - [**The Effects of Exercise on PD**](https://youtu.be/YBMrk2f0PkE) - ### Podcast Episodes - [**Ask the Parkinson’s Foundation Helpline: Your Exercise Questions Answered**](/library/podcast/19 "Episode 19: Ask the Parkinson’s Foundation Helpline: Your Exercise Questions Answered") - [**Stall the Fall**](/library/podcast/18 "Episode 18: Stall the Fall") - ### Additional Resources - [**Exercise Overview**](/living-with-parkinsons/treatment/exercise "Exercise") - [**Blog: Addressing Exercise Standards for Fitness Professionals Working with the Parkinson’s Community**](https://www.parkinson.org/blog/awareness/exercise-standards) - [**Survey Data: Exercise Professionals**](/advancing-research/survey-data/exercise "Exercise Professionals Survey") - [**Video: Exercise Benefits Review**](https://youtu.be/KZ9BxPwG6kU) ## Related Materials Fact Sheets ### [ Parkinson's Exercise Recommendations ](/library/fact-sheets/exercise-recommendations) [Read Now](/library/fact-sheets/exercise-recommendations) Podcasts ### [ Episode 3: The Benefits of Exercise for People with Parkinson's ](/library/podcast/3) [Listen Now](/library/podcast/3) 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 ![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 ![Woman stretching on a mat](/sites/default/files/styles/500x360/public/images/newexerciserecommendations-blog.png?h=ed9ce7df&itok=TJ4R-9-H) Raise Awareness ### [ New Exercise Recommendations for the Parkinson’s Community and Exercise Professionals ](/blog/awareness/exercise-recommendations) READ NOW ![Women exercising](/sites/default/files/styles/500x360/public/images/aerobicexercise-blog.png?h=5193ff8a&itok=Wcqe-COi) Science News ### [ Aerobic Exercise Positively Alters Parkinson’s Brain ](/blog/science-news/aerobic-exercise) READ NOW ### Parkinson’s Foundation Learning Lab Learn and apply best-care Parkinson's knowledge through our multiple in-depth accredited and non-accredited online training courses designed for health professionals. [VISIT NOW](https://education.parkinson.org/) ### Subscribe for the latest news - Share on Facebook - Share on X - Share on LinkedIn