I believe there is evidence to suggest that 30 minutes of varied exercise three times a week, at a pace that raises the heart rate, is beneficial for those of us with Parkinson’s. Could the effect of the physical exertion be just as beneficial if the increase in heart rate, etc., is due to heavy work?

The Public Health Agency of Sweden recommends that “older adults should engage in at least 150–300 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week, or at least 75–150 minutes of high-intensity physical activity, or an equivalent combination of moderate- and high-intensity activity per week. Moderate-intensity physical activity increases the heart rate and breathing rate, whilst high-intensity activity causes a marked increase in heart rate and breathing rate”. The heart rate can be raised in many different ways, such as through heavy work. The most important thing is that your heart rate increases and you feel slightly warm and a little out of breath in order to achieve a positive health benefit.

 /Erika Franzén