Exercises to improve mobility

Decreased flexibility decrease in the body axis of individuals with PD may interfere with their balance and impair performance of activities that require trunk mobility. A study by Vaugoyeau et al. demonstrated that an increased tonus of the body axis in individuals with PD results in “en bloc” axial movement, and also disturbs the execution of important activities such as movement in bed and turning while walking.

Schenkman et al. developed a program which emphasized exercises for axial mobility associated with muscle relaxation and diaphragmatic breathing to increase range of motion of the neck and trunk. The results showed that 10 weeks of exercise improved in axial mobility and postural control of individuals with PD (Schenkman et al. 1998). Recently, Schenkman suggested that postural control and functional capacity specific training should incorporate axial mobility exercises to maximize gains in physical and functional performance as a whole…