Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurological condition that causes stiffness and rigidity, especially in the trunk area. Symptoms of this disease can include a forward stooped posture, tremors, difficulty maintaining balance, and trouble performing smooth and coordinated movement, according to the National Parkinson Foundation. Regular exercise is essential for Parkinson's patients. This includes core strength training because a strong midsection can improve posture and balance. Since each case is different, check with a health care provider before beginning any exercise program.
Chair Lean Backs
The chair lean back exercise can help keep core muscles strong. Sit up straight at the front edge of the chair and cross your arms over your chest. Look down at your lap and round the low back. Tighten the abdominal muscles and lean back until you feel a pull in the stomach area, but try to not touch the back of the chair. Return to starting position and repeat exercise eight to 12 times. You should feel this exercise in your abdominal muscles, not your back.
Chair Bicycle
The chair bicycle also targets the abs and is a bit more challenging. Perform a lean back and hold in the back position. Then lift one knee at a time to the chest, while leaning back. If the back and abdominal muscles are strong enough, lift both legs off the floor at the same time and perform a bicycle motion. Keep the stomach muscles pulled in tight, do not hold breath and press the shoulders down away from the ears. If the two-legged bicycle hurts the back, just stay with one leg at a time. Go for eight to 12 repetitions.
Waist Bends
Strong core muscles are necessary to maintain balance when getting in and out of a chair, climbing stairs and reaching for objects. Waist bends can help as they target the obliques. Sit up straight in a chair with your arms hanging by your sides. Without twisting bend to the right as far as possible, but do not bring the shoulders towards the legs, stay up straight. Then use the waist muscle to pull you back up. Do eight to 12 on the left then switch sides.
Once this becomes easy, hold weights in your hands to add resistance, but let the weight just hang and do not lift the weights with the arms.
Waist Twist
Since Parkinson's can cause stiffness and rigidity in the trunk, when working the core muscles it is important to work on loosening this area. A more flexible core allows for greater range of motion in all tasks. Sit up straight and clasp your elbows with your hands so that the opposite hand is on the opposite elbow. Hold the arms at chest height. Tighten the waist and stomach muscles and twist to the right as far as possible. Look over the right shoulder as you turn. Return to center and twist to the left. Go back and forth for eight to 12 repetitions; try to turn a little further each time.
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