The Effects of a Regular Physical Activity Program on the Motor Disorders of a Parkinson Patient.

Abstract

This study aims at analyzing the effects of a six-month program of regular physical activity upon the motor disorders of an elderly Parkinson patient. The subject was an elderly, physically inactive woman, who has had Parkinson for ten years. The six-month program was developed with the help of the Centro Goiano de Neurologia e Neurocirurgia (The Goianian Center for Neurology and Neuro-surgery). A motor exam (Brito, 1998) was used to evaluate the level of rigidness, bradicinesia, the capacity to raise from a chair and walk, and posture changes. Evaluations were conducted before and after the program. After two months of regular physical activity, improvements were noticed on rigidness, bradicinesia, and balance, which brought autonomy and independence to the subject. KEY-WORDS: Parkinson - elderly - physical activity