A multi-component training program improves motor, but not respiratory parameters, in Parkinson’s disease patients

Summary. Introduction. Parkinson’s disease (PD) can impair both motor and respiratory functions (MFs and RFs), reducing physical efficiency and quality of life. While various exercise modalities have shown benefits on either MFs or RFs, it is unclear whether a multi-component training program (McTP), combining different exercise types, can improve both concurrently. Methods. Ten PD patients (age: 75.1 ± 7.1 years; 9 males, 1 female), all at Hoehn & Yahr stage 2, completed a 3-month bi-weekly McTP. Each 1-hour session included 20 minutes of aerobic exercise (AE) at 14-17 on the Borg scale (targeting RFs), followed by lower-limb resistance and balance exercises (both at Borg level 15) to improve MFs. Training parameters were based on literature in PD or, when unavailable, age-matched healthy cohorts. RFs were assessed via spirometry, 12-second forced inspiration/expiration, and maximal inspirations. MFs were evaluated with the 6-Minute Walking Test (6MWT), Timed Up & Go (TUG), and Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). Pre/post comparisons used Wilcoxon signed-rank and paired t-tests. Results. No significant changes (p>0.05) were observed in RFs or TUG. However, 6MWT (p<0.01) and SPPB (p≤0.05) scores improved significantly. Conclusions. These findings suggest that McTP effectively improved MFs, but no statistically significant changes were observed in RFs. Modifying AE frequency and/or duration may be necessary to target respiratory adaptation.