The effect of circuit resistance training on body composition and physical function in patients with Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease is the second age-related neurodegenerative disease that is clinically characterized by motor and non-motor symptoms. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of circuit resistance training on motor neuromuscular function in patients with Parkinson's disease.

In this semi-experimental research, 20 patients with Parkinson's disease were randomly divided into two groups: resistance training (eight weeks of resistance training, 3 sessions per week) and control (without training). Maximum strength of upper and lower body muscles was calculated using the O'Connor method. The muscle Power of the subjects was measured by ramp power test and the VO2max was measured by the Astrand-Rimming sub-maximal test. T-test and analysis of covariance were run for statistical analysis.

After the training period, a significant increase was observed in the strength levels of upper and lower torso muscles (p<0.001), muscle strength (p<0.001) and VO2max (p<0.01) in the training group compared to the control group; however no significant difference was observed in their weight and body mass index (p>0.05).

According to the results, it can be concluded that eight weeks of circuit resistance training improves muscle function and also increases cardiorespiratory endurance in patients with Parkinson.