People with Parkinson's disease who reported more hours of physical activity each week had slower declines in movement and in thinking over as long as seven years, and the extra benefit did not come from making the workouts harder, a study published Wednesday in Neurology found.

The paper followed nearly 300 people with mild to moderate disease. It does not prove that exercise slows the illness. It shows an association. "Parkinson's disease is a brain disorder that causes movement and cognitive problems that gradually worsen leading to disability and a loss of independence," said study author Dong-Woo Ryu, a physician and researcher at the University of Cincinnati. "The possible benefits of physical activity for people with Parkinson's disease may depend on how long they stay active and whether they continue exercising over time. While our study found small differences between activity levels, these differences may become more meaningful over time."

Participants filled out questionnaires on hours spent active at work, at home and in hobbies. Moderate activity included brisk........

© International Business Times