Jundishapur Scientific Medical Journal

Jundishapur Scientific Medical Journal

Comparison of Two Types of Combined Exercise on Changes in Selected Physical Performance Factors and Body Composition in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Fatemeh Nejati 1
Nahid Bijeh 2
Mahtab Moazzami 3
Ali Shoeibi 4
1 Ph.D Student, Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Sport Sciences ,Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
2 Professor, Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
3 Associate Professor, Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Sport Sciences,Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
4 Associate Professor, Department of Neurology, School of Medicine Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
10.22118/jsmj.2025.526175.3915
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that leads to weakness and impaired motor function. This study aimed to compare the effects of two types of combined resistance and aerobic training (continuous vs. interval) on selected physical fitness factors and body composition in patients with Parkinson’s disease.
Subjects and Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 30 patients with Parkinson’s disease were randomly assigned to three groups: resistance + continuous aerobic training, resistance + interval aerobic training, and a control group. Training included resistance exercises (1 set of 8–12 reps at 50–60% of 1-RM) and aerobic training, either continuous (10–15 min cycling at 40–65% heart rate reserve) or interval (2–8 bouts of 30 sec at 80–90% HRR with 30 sec rest). The intervention lasted 8 weeks, 3 sessions per week.Statistical analysis was performed using ANCOVA.
Results: Exercise had no significant effect on body weight or BMI (P > 0.05). Walking speed significantly improved in the resistance + interval group compared to the control group (P < 0.005). Lower limb strength increased in both training groups (P < 0.001), with greater gains in the resistance + interval group than the resistance + continuous group (P < 0.001).
Conclusion: Combined resistance and aerobic training, particularly in an interval format, may improve motor performance and muscle strength in patients with Parkinson’s disease.
Keywords
Parkinson’s disease
Combined training
Body composition
Motor performance
Muscle strength
Subjects
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  • Receive Date 25 May 2025
  • Revise Date 28 June 2025
  • Accept Date 29 June 2025