Cardiovascular function is related to neuromuscular performance in Parkinson's disease.

AIM: The current study examined the relationship of handgrip, leg and arm neuromuscular performance with cardiovascular function in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD).

MATERIALS & METHODS: Blood pressure, vascular measures and handgrip, shoulder and leg neuromuscular performance were obtained in PD persons and healthy controls.

RESULTS: The data reveal that muscular and cardiovascular functions are altered (p < 0.05) in PD. Most importantly, regression indicates that altered central and peripheral cardiovascular function measures demonstrate a moderately strong relationship (p < 0.05) with deteriorated handgrip (R2 -range = 0.196-0.257), shoulder (R2 -range = 0.146-0.289) and leg (R2 -range = 0.19-0.35) neuromuscular performance in PD.

CONCLUSION: These results suggest that deteriorated neuromuscular performance and cardiovascular function are related in PD. Future studies are needed to determine that developing muscular strength might contribute to improving cardiovascular function in PD.