Are physical activity levels, cardiorespiratory fitness and peak power associated with Parkinson's disease severity?

INTRODUCTION: Increased physical activity (PA) may slow Parkinson's disease (PD) progression. Associations between markers of PA and PD severity could justify further studies evaluating interventions increasing PA levels in PD. The objectives of the present study were to assess associations between PA, cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2 -max), and muscle peak power and measures of the Movement Disorder Society-sponsored revision of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS), the Parkinson's disease questionnaire-39 (PDQ-39), and the four PD hallmark motor symptoms (rigidity, bradykinesia, postural instability, and tremor).

METHODS: Data from 105 people with PD were used. PA was measured for seven consecutive days using accelerometers. Peak power was measured with a linear encoder during a chair rise test, while VO2 -max was directly assessed during a graded bicycle test. Analyses included simple and multiple linear regression and hurdle exponential regression.

RESULTS: PA was weakly to moderately associated with MDS-UPDRS II + III, rigidity, bradykinesia, and postural instability, as well as PDQ-39 mobility and activities of daily living sub-scores. VO2 -max and peak power were weakly to moderately associated with MDS-UPDRS III, bradykinesia, and postural instability, while peak power was further weakly associated with the MDS-UPDRS II. Lastly, VO2 -max was associated with PDQ-39 mobility and activities of daily living sub-scores.

CONCLUSION: PA, VO2 -max, and peak power were associated with PD severity, thus highlighting the potential benefits of a physically active lifestyle. Furthermore, PA and VO2 -max were associated with PDQ-39 sub-scores. This calls for confirmation of the potential effect of PA on quality of life in PD.