Swimming & Parkinson's

If you have been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, it may be difficult to get around throughout the day. Although being active may be challenging, getting regular exercise from sports like swimming may be an effective way to increase mobility and improve balance and posture, according to the University of California, San Francisco in the article "Parkinson's Disease Clinic and Research Center." Consult your doctor before starting a new exercise routine.

Significance

Parkinson's disease is a nervous system disorder that may cause a progressive freezing or slowing down of body movements, notes MayoClinic.com. Getting exercise may help maintain the heart and central nervous system, reduce a feeling of stiffness in the joints and muscles and may reduce depression, notes the University of California, San Francisco. Your doctor may recommend swimming as an exercise to help reduce and delay symptoms of Parkinson's.

Types

Although lap swimming may be an effective exercise to improve coordination, swimming exercises that involve changing speeds or starting and stopping may be more beneficial to Parkinson's patients, notes the University of California, San Francisco. Individuals with Parkinson's disease may have difficulty doing more than one activity at the same time or switching back and forth between different activities. Doing somersaults or flips in the water, if the patient is able, may be particularly beneficial.

Swimming-Related Exercises

If you are physically unable to swim, exercises that mimic swimming but are performed out of the water may help loosen the muscles and improve posture, according to the Center for Neurologic Study in the article "Exercises for the Parkinson's Patient." Lie down on your abdomen on a bed or the floor and put your hands behind your back. Look up at the ceiling and raise your chest up off the ground. Hold for a few seconds, then release. Kick your legs up and down like you are swimming for several seconds, then lower your legs. Turn your head to the left, then turn your head to the right. Repeat all three exercises.

Warning

In some cases, Parkinson's patients may experience muscle tremors or freezing. If you have experienced these symptoms before, there is a risk that it may happen while you are swimming, notes Roger C. Duvoisin in his book "Parkinson's Disease: A Guide for Patient and Family." Even if you do not experience tremors, always swim with a partner and do not swim in deep water, says Duvoisin.

Expert Insight

Some Parkinson's patients may discover that swimming causes an increase in muscle stiffness rather than a decrease, notes the University of California, Los Angeles. If this is the case, swimming may not be a beneficial activity for you. Try running, jogging or yoga instead. Practice exercise that helps improve balance, loosen the muscles and increase mobility for your particular case rather than forcing swimming to work for your condition.