Here’s one more reason to lace up your sneakers: Regular aerobic exercise may help lower your risk of developing Parkinson’s disease — and could even slow its progression if you’ve already been diagnosed. 

That’s the message from Lisa Deuel Baker, MD, movement disorder specialist at the Binter Center for Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders at University of Vermont Medical Center and assistant professor of neuroscience at UVM Larner College of Medicine. “There’s something about exercise that may be neuroprotective,” she says. “It may help prevent dopamine-producing cells in the brain from dying off.” 

A 2024 study backs this up: Researchers found that six months of regular, high-intensity aerobic exercise improved the health of dopamine neurons — cells that play a key role in movement and coordination and are damaged in Parkinson’s. 

What Kind of Exercise Helps Parkinson's Disease? 

Jogging, swimming, biking, and brisk walking all count—as long as you’re raising your heart rate. Dr. Deuel Baker recommends aiming for 30 minutes at up to 85% of your maximum heart rate, which is calculated by subtracting your age from 220. “All exercise is good when it comes to Parkinson’s,” she says. “But the type being studied as neuroprotective is aerobic exercise with pretty high intensity.” 

Understanding Parkinson’s Disease 

Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological disorder that typically affects people over age 60. It causes involuntary movements, stiffness, and balance issues. Symptoms develop gradually and vary from person to person. 

Common signs include: 

• Tremors
• Muscle rigidity
• Slower movement
• Changes in speech or handwriting 

“Parkinson’s doesn’t have a sudden onset of symptoms,” says Dr. Deuel Baker, nor is there a single test for the disease. The diagnosis is made based on a person’s symptoms and examination findings, but tools like DaTscan imaging and a new skin biopsy test can help confirm a diagnosis. While there’s no cure, medications and therapies — including physical and speech therapy — can help manage symptoms. 

Who’s at Risk of Parkinson's Disease? 

About 90,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with Parkinson’s each year. The biggest risk factor? Aging. One in 100 people over 60 will develop the disease, and that number jumps to 5% in those 85 and older. 

Other risk factors include: 

• Family history (parent or sibling with Parkinson’s)
• Male gender
• Head trauma
• Exposure to pesticides, herbicides, heavy metals, and industrial solvents 

A Growing Concern 

Researchers estimate that Parkinson’s cases worldwide will exceed 25 million by 2050 — a 76% increase from 2021. Dr. Deuel Baker attributes this rise to an aging population and longer life expectancy. “Parkinson’s is definitely a disease of aging,” she says.