Components of a successful community-based exercise program for individuals with Parkinson’s disease: Results from a participant survey

• DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2022.102867
• Publication Date: 2022-08-05T02:43:32Z
• Authors: Anson B. Rosenfeldt; Mandy Miller Koop; Amanda L. Penko; Eric Zimmerman; Deborah M. Miller; Jay L. Alberts
• Keywords: Attendance; Cross-sectional study

The aim of the project was to examine personal beliefs, motivators, and barriers in people with Parkinson's disease (PwPD) relating their participation a year-round community-based cycling program, Pedaling for (PFP).Cross-sectional survey from 12-month pragmatic study.Five PFP sites.A designed capture attitudes beliefs those participating program. Survey responses were rated on 5-point Likert scale (1-5; higher number representing more positive response) assessing subdomains Personal Beliefs Knowledge, Health Disability, Program, Fitness Environment following exercise observational period.A total 40 PwPD completed survey. Mean subdomain scores as follows: 4.37 (0.41) 4.25 (0.65) 4.11 (0.53) 4.35 (0.44) Environment. There no significant correlations between demographic variables (age, years education, since diagnosis, attending severity) or behavior (cadence, attendance, heart rate).Regardless severity, who attended program enjoyed class, felt that PD symptoms benefited exercise, motivated by diagnosis. Factors such location gym, cost, transportation important. With growing body literature supporting role potentially altering trajectory, it is critical communities adopt implement programs meet needs facilitate compliance.