Health · Medical Research · 2 days ago
Study links regular physical activity to slower Parkinson’s decline
Researchers followed 294 people with mild-to-moderate Parkinson’s disease, whose average age was 66, for up to seven years.
Participants estimated how much physical activity they did at work, at home and in their free time.
The researchers found that more activity was linked to slower declines in movement and thinking skills, even after accounting for other factors.
The findings show an association, not proof that exercise caused the slower decline.
The accounts of the study differ on whether more than eight hours of weekly activity offered added benefits for memory and thinking.
The researchers said the differences were small and that the participants generally had strong thinking and memory skills at the start.
They called for more research to confirm the findings and said any benefit may depend on staying active over time.
A study found that higher physical activity was associated with slower declines in movement and thinking abilities among people with mild-to-moderate Parkinson’s disease.
The researchers followed 294 participants, whose average age was 66, for up to seven years.
Participants reported their weekly activity, and researchers grouped them by whether they did less than four hours, four to eight hours, or more than eight hours.
The reports differ on which activity group showed the greatest cognitive benefits: one says four to eight hours was linked to slower declines in memory and thinking, while the other says the most active group had the greatest benefits.
The researchers said the differences were small and called for more research.
- Who
- Researchers led by Dong-Woo Ryu at the University of Cincinnati studied 294 people with mild-to-moderate Parkinson’s disease.
- What
- The study found that greater physical activity was associated with slower declines in movement and cognitive abilities.
- When
- The findings were reported on October 7, 2026, in Neurology.
- Where
- The study was led by the University of Cincinnati. Participants’ locations are not stated.
- Why
- The researchers examined whether physical activity was associated with the progression of Parkinson’s symptoms.
Fox News report
Infobae report
Cognitive benefits by activity level
Fox News report
Four to eight hours of weekly activity was linked to slower declines in memory and thinking than less than four hours; more than eight hours did not appear to add benefits.
Infobae report
The group with more than eight hours of weekly activity showed the greatest benefits for movement symptoms and thinking and memory.
Strength of findings
Fox News report
The article says the differences were small and notes that further research is needed.
Infobae report
The article says the differences were small and reports that the researchers called for more studies.
Our study found physical activity may have dual benefits, with associations with slower declines in movement and cognition.
While our study found small differences between activity levels, these differences may become more meaningful over time.
These findings further emphasize the importance of regular physical activity in managing Parkinson’s disease.
The study was published in Neurology.
Fox News reported the study’s findings.
Infobae reported the study’s findings.
- Participants
- 294 people with mild-to-moderate Parkinson’s disease
- Average age
- 66
- Activity groups
- Less than 4 hours, 4–8 hours, or more than 8 hours per week
- Follow-up
- Up to 7 years for motor function
- Journal
- Neurology
- Study lead
- Dong-Woo Ryu, University of Cincinnati
Sources
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