Sprint exercise for subjects with mild-to-moderate Parkinson's disease: Feasibility and biomechanical outputs

Background: High-intensity training, a still unexplored exercise for individuals with Parkinson's disease, is positively related with increased functionality and aerobic profile in healthy individuals. The aim of this work was to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and acceptance of sprint running in individuals with mild-to-moderate Parkinson's. Additionally, we compared sprint biomechanical outputs of force, velocity and power between individuals with Parkinson's disease and healthy. Methods: Physically trained subjects with Parkinson's, men, (n = 16, 64:9.01 years, stage between 1 and 3 in the Hoehn and Yahr, 16.8:7.1 at Unified Parkinson's disease Rating Scales, and control group (n = 21, 65:9.27 years) performed 20 m sprint sessions. We analyzed the self-reported satisfaction and acceptance using a self-administered questionnaire, and the sprint biomechanics and performance based on high-speed video recordings. Findings: All participants completed the tests with high feasibility, acceptability and satisfaction scores. The sprint maximal force and maximal power outputs were higher in Parkinson's disease. Conversely, control group showed higher mechanical effectiveness values. Interestingly, no difference in velocity capabilities and overall 20-m sprint performance was observed between groups, possibly explained by different mechanical strategies in both groups over the sprint accelerations. Linear regression analyses showed that physical qualities are predictors of mechanical effectiveness, and mechanical variables are important determinants of sprint performance on Parkinson's disease. Interpretation: Sprint is a feasible exercise for people with mild-to-moderate Parkinson's disease. Even though differences in physical qualities and mechanical effectiveness exist between subjects with Parkinson's disease and healthy, there is no overall substantial impact on sprint running performance.