This investigation assesses the impact of a strengthening program on muscle metabolism in the gastrocnemius muscle (GM) and is an essential step in the establishment of future clinical intervention for the GM in people with Parkinson's disease (with healthy peers as the control group). The participants will be provided with a progressive GM strengthening program while monitoring muscle metabolism and functional changes before and after intervention.
This is a repeated measures study with a total of 20 participants (15 individuals with varying PD severity and 5 age matched controls). Strength, functional ability, and metabolic properties (MRS) of the GM will be measured on participants before and after a 4 week progressive strengthening program for the GM. The program is designed to utilize high volume exercise to account for unique properties of the GM (2 sets of heel raises to fatigue, 3 times a week). Loading will be individualized and progressed based on participant strength. There will be contact for accountability/direction on exercise progression. Demographic data including sex, age, medications, and years since disease onset will be collected.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
19
All participants completed a four-week, home-based progressive strengthening program targeting GM using high-volume bodyweight exercise. Participants were instructed to perform exercises three times per week, with at least one day of rest between exercise sessions. During weeks 1 and 2, participants performed two sets of heel raises to fatigue at their prescribed level, corresponding to a subjective effort rating of 8/10. The goal was to progress toward completing 20 repetitions per set. Exercise loading was individualized based on baseline performance and adjusted throughout the intervention according to each participant's demonstrated strength progression.
UT Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas, Texas, United States
Muscle metabolic properties (P-31 MRS)
A non-invasive measure of metabolites and their dynamics in resting and activated human muscles to explores how well muscle handles its ATP energy demands.
Time frame: Day 1 (baseline) and 4 weeks (post exercise program)
Gastrocnemius strength
Clinical measure of gastrocnemius strength, tested unilaterally, using the Calf -Raise Senior Test with a stadiometer for objective heel raise strength.
Time frame: Day 1 (baseline) and 4 weeks (post exercise program)
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