Physical activity and risk of Parkinson's disease: a prospective cohort study
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Despite the fact that Parkinson's disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disease, little is known about risk factors for the disease. Laboratory experiments indicate that physical activity may have a neuroprotective effect; however, there are few data on whether physical activity is associated with decreased risk of Parkinson's disease. AIM: To investigate the relationship between physical activity and Parkinson's disease in 10,714 men (mean age, 67.6 years) from the Harvard Alumni Health Study, who were diagnosed as free of self-reported Parkinson's disease in 1988. METHODS: Physical activity was assessed in 1988 by asking about the daily number of blocks walked and stairs climbed, and participation in sports and recreational activities in the past week. Energy expenditure was then estimated and men were categorised into four groups: < 1000, 1000-1999, 2000-2999 or > or = 3000 kcal/week. In addition, physical activity data were available for three past time points: during college, 1962 or 1966, and 1977. Incident cases of Parkinson's disease occurring after 1988 (n = 101) were identified through a follow-up health questionnaire in 1993 and death certificates obtained until 1997. RESULTS: In multivariate analyses, the relative risks (RR) for Parkinson's disease associated with < 1000, 1000-1999, 2000-2999 and > or = 3000 kcal/week of physical activity were 1 (referent), 1.15 (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.71 to 1.88), 0.92 (0.50 to 1.71) and 0.63 (0.36 to 1.12), respectively; p for trend was 0.12. When walking was examined separately, somewhat lower, but not significant, risks were observed for Parkinson's disease. The multivariate RRs (95% CI) for walking < 5, 5-10, 10-20 and > 20 km/week were 1 (referent), 0.67 (0.37 to 1.23), 0.81 (0.50 to 1.31) and 0.72 (0.39 to 1.34), respectively; p for trend was 0.26. Analyses that considered physical activity at other time points before 1988 did not show any significant associations. CONCLUSIONS: These data do not strongly support the hypothesis that physical activity lowers the risk of Parkinson's disease. However, as the number of patients with Parkinson's disease in this study was not large, statistical power may have been limited and further large studies are needed to provide additional data.
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
In two other large prospective cohorts, trends suggested a reduced Parkinson disease risk with exercise, although not significant.
“In 2 other large prospective cohorts, trends suggested a reduced PD risk with exercise, although not significant.6,7”
From Does vigorous exercise have a neuroprotective effect in Parkinson disease? (2011) · cites this paper as [7]
Self-check
Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.
The self-check needs the paper’s full text.
Cites
The Neuroendocrinology of Stress: A Never Ending Story
Lightman, S. L. (2008) · Journal of Neuroendocrinology · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2826.2008.01711.x · Cited by 3,570 · see citing works
Physical activity and risk of cognitive impairment and dementia in elderly persons
Laurin, D., Verreault, R., Lindsay, J., MacPherson, K., & Rockwood, K. (2001) · Archives of Neurology · doi:10.1001/archneur.58.3.498 · Cited by 1,561 · see citing works
Lindsay, J. (2002) · American Journal of Epidemiology · doi:10.1093/aje/kwf074 · Cited by 1,261 · see citing works
Exercise and brain neurotrophins
Neeper, S. A., Góauctemez-Pinilla, F., Choi, J., & Cotman, C. (1995) · Nature · doi:10.1038/373109a0 · Cited by 1,066 · see citing works
A Prospective Study of Physical Activity and Cognitive Decline in Elderly Women: Women Who Walk
Yaffe, K., Barnes, D., Nevitt, M., Lui, L.-Y., & Covinsky, K. (2001) · Archives of Internal Medicine · doi:10.1001/archinte.161.14.1703 · Cited by 921 · see citing works
A meta‐analysis of coffee drinking, cigarette smoking, and the risk of Parkinson's disease
Hernán, M. A., Takkouche, B., Caamaño‐Isorna, F., & Gestal‐Otero, J. J. (2002) · Annals of Neurology · doi:10.1002/ana.10277 · Cited by 818 · see citing works
Parkinson’s disease and parkinsonism in a longitudinal study: Two-fold higher incidence in men
Baldereschi, M., Di Carlo, A., Rocca, W. A., Vanni, P., Maggi, S., Perissinotto, E., Grigoletto, F., Amaducci, L., & Inzitari, D. (2000) · Neurology · doi:10.1212/wnl.55.9.1358 · Cited by 526 · see citing works
Incidence and distribution of parkinsonism in Olmsted County, Minnesota, 1976–1990
Bower, J. H., Maraganore, D. M., McDonnell, S. K., & Rocca, W. A. (1999) · Neurology · doi:10.1212/wnl.52.6.1214 · Cited by 509 · see citing works
Tillerson, J. L., Caudle, W. M., Reverón, M. E., & Miller, G. W. (2003) · Neuroscience · doi:10.1016/s0306-4522(03)00096-4 · Cited by 399 · see citing works
Physical activity and the risk of Parkinson disease
Chen, H., Zhang, S. M., Schwarzschild, M. A., Hernán, M. A., & Ascherio, A. (2005) · Neurology · doi:10.1212/01.wnl.0000151960.28687.93 · Cited by 371 · see citing works
After Reaching Retirement Age Physical Activity Sustains Cerebral Perfusion and Cognition
Rogers, R. L., Meyer, J. S., & Mortel, K. F. (1990) · Journal of the American Geriatrics Society · doi:10.1111/j.1532-5415.1990.tb03472.x · Cited by 368 · see citing works
Dietary lipids and antioxidants in Parkinson's disease: A population‐based, case‐control study
Logroscino, G., Marder, K. S., COTE, L. J., Tang, M., Shea, S., & Mayeux, R. P. (1996) · Annals of Neurology · doi:10.1002/ana.410390113 · Cited by 302 · see citing works
Self-citationHow valid is the clinical diagnosis of Parkinson's disease in the community?
Schrag, A. E. (2002) · Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry · doi:10.1136/jnnp.73.5.529 · Cited by 300 · see citing works
Accuracy of the College Alumnus Physical Activity Questionnaire
Ainsworth, B. E., Leon, A. S., Richardson, M. T., Jacobs, D. R., & Paffenbarger, R. S. (1993) · Journal of Clinical Epidemiology · doi:10.1016/0895-4356(93)90140-v · Cited by 295 · see citing works
Self-citationRegulation of brain function by exercise
Sutoo, D., & Akiyama, K. (2003) · Neurobiology of Disease · doi:10.1016/s0969-9961(03)00030-5 · Cited by 275 · see citing works
Risk of Parkinson's disease among first-degree relatives
Marder, K. S., Tang, M., Mejía, H., Alfaro, B., Cote, L. J., Louis, E. K. S., Groves, J. T., & Mayeux, R. P. (1996) · Neurology · doi:10.1212/wnl.47.1.155 · Cited by 248 · see citing works
Intakes of vitamins E and C, carotenoids, vitamin supplements, and PD risk
Zhang, S., Hernán, M. Á., Chen, H., Spiegelman, D. L., Willett, W. C., & Ascherio, A. (2002) · Neurology · doi:10.1212/01.wnl.0000028688.75881.12 · Cited by 240 · see citing works
Mattson, M. P. (2000) · Brain Research · doi:10.1016/s0006-8993(00)02790-6 · Cited by 239 · see citing works
The impact of comorbid disease and injuries on resource use and expenditures in parkinsonism
Pressley, J. C., Louis, E. D., Tang, M. ‐., Cote, L. J., Cohen, P. D., Glied, S., & Mayeux, R. P. (2003) · Neurology · doi:10.1212/wnl.60.1.87 · Cited by 229 · see citing works
Diet and Parkinson's disease II
Hellenbrand, W., Boeing, H., Robra, B., Seidler, A., Vieregge, P., NISCHAN, P., Joerg, J., Oertel, W. H., Schneider, E., & Ulm, G. (1996) · Neurology · doi:10.1212/wnl.47.3.644 · Cited by 195 · see citing works
Validation and Comparison of Eight Physical Activity Questionnaires
Albanes, D., Conway, J. M., Taylor, P. R., Moe, P. W., & Judd, J. T. (1990) · Epidemiology · doi:10.1097/00001648-199001000-00014 · Cited by 188 · see citing works
Diet and Parkinson's disease: A potential role of dairy products in men
Chen, H., Zhang, S. M., Hernán, M. Á., Willett, W. C., & Ascherio, A. (2002) · Annals of Neurology · doi:10.1002/ana.10381 · Cited by 146 · see citing works
The Role of Physical Exercise in the Occurrence of Parkinson's Disease
Sasco, A. J., Paffenbarger, R. S., Gendre, I., & Wing, A. L. (1992) · Archives of Neurology · doi:10.1001/archneur.1992.00530280040020 · Cited by 146 · see citing works
Self-citationTime Trends in Physical Activity among College Alumni, 1962–1988
Lee, I., Paffenbarger, R. S., & Hsieh, C. (1992) · American Journal of Epidemiology · doi:10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a116387 · Cited by 136 · see citing works
Self-citationDiet and Parkinson's disease I
Hellenbrand, W., Seidler, A., Boeing, H., Robra, B., Vieregge, P., NISCHAN, P., Joerg, J., Oertel, W. H., Schneider, E., & Ulm, G. (1996) · Neurology · doi:10.1212/wnl.47.3.636 · Cited by 119 · see citing works
Treadmill training ameliorates dopamine loss but not behavioral deficits in hemi-Parkinsonian rats
Poulton, N. P., & Muir, G. D. (2005) · Experimental Neurology · doi:10.1016/j.expneurol.2004.12.006 · Cited by 104 · see citing works
When does Parkinson's disease begin?
Wc, K. (1992) · PubMed · Cited by 99 · see citing works
Reliability and physiologic correlates of the Harvard alumni activity survey in a general population
Washburn, R. A., Smith, K. W., GOLDFIELD, S. R. W., & McKinlay, J. B. (1991) · Journal of Clinical Epidemiology · doi:10.1016/0895-4356(91)90093-o · Cited by 98 · see citing works
Environmental risk factors of young onset Parkinson's disease: a case-control study
Tsai, C. H., Lo, S. K., See, L., Chen, H. Z., Chen, R., Weng, Y.-H., Chang, F., & Lu, C. (2002) · Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery · doi:10.1016/s0303-8467(02)00027-6 · Cited by 89 · see citing works
Fertl, E., Doppelbauer, A., & Auff, E. (1993) · Journal of Neural Transmission - Parkinsons Disease and Dementia Section · doi:10.1007/bf02251206 · Cited by 85 · see citing works
Genetic Basis for Resistance to Parathyroid Hormone
Levine, M. A., Germain‐Lee, E. L., & de Beur, S. M. J. (2003) · Hormone Research in Paediatrics · doi:10.1159/000074508 · Cited by 63 · see citing works
Disparities in the recording of Parkinson's disease on death certificates
Pressley, J. C., Tang, M., Marder, K. S., COTE, L. J., & Mayeux, R. P. (2004) · Movement Disorders · doi:10.1002/mds.20339 · Cited by 46 · see citing works
Skalicky, M., Bubna‐Littitz, H., & Viidik, A. (1996) · Mechanisms of Ageing and Development · doi:10.1016/0047-6374(96)01707-1 · Cited by 45 · see citing works
Foroud, T. (2005) · Neurology · doi:10.1212/01.wnl.0000179342.58181.c9 · Cited by 34 · see citing works
Distribution of mRNAs encoding CRF receptors in brain and pituitary of rat and mouse
Van Pett, K., Viau, V., Bittencourt, J. C., Chan, R. K. W., Li, H.-Y., Arias, C., Prins, G. S., Perrin, M., Vale, W., & Sawchenko, P. E. (2000) · The Journal of Comparative Neurology · doi:10.1002/1096-9861(20001211)428:2
Flagged first, then by citations
Research works printed but not linked: 1
- 2 Marder K , Tang MX, Mejia H, et al. Risk of Parkinson's disease among firstdegree relatives: a community-based study. Neurology 1996; 47 :155-60.
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Epidemiology and etiology of Parkinson's disease: a review of the evidence
Wirdefeldt, K., Adami, H.-O., Cole, P., Trichopoulos, D., & Mandel, J. (2011) · European Journal of Epidemiology · doi:10.1007/s10654-011-9581-6 · Cited by 1,199 · see citing works
Physical activity and risk of neurodegenerative disease: a systematic review of prospective evidence
Hamer, M., & Chida, Y. (2009) · Psychological Medicine · doi:10.1017/s0033291708003681 · Cited by 988 · see citing works
Does vigorous exercise have a neuroprotective effect in Parkinson disease?
Ahlskog, J. E. (2011) · Neurology · doi:10.1212/wnl.0b013e318225ab66 · Cited by 463 · see citing works
Physical activities and future risk of Parkinson disease
Xu, Q., Park, Y., Huang, X., Hollenbeck, A., Blair, A., Schatzkin, A., & Chen, H. (2010) · Neurology · doi:10.1212/wnl.0b013e3181ea1597 · Cited by 328 · see citing works
Recreational physical activity and risk of Parkinson's disease
Thacker, E. L., Chen, H., Patel, A. V., McCullough, M. L., Calle, E. E., Thun, M. J., Schwarzschild, M. A., & Ascherio, A. (2008) · Movement Disorders · doi:10.1002/mds.21772 · Cited by 185 · see citing works
Fang, X., Han, D., Cheng, Q., Zhang, P., Zhao, C., Min, J., & Wang, F. (2018) · JAMA Network Open · doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.2421 · Cited by 171 · see citing works
Exercise and Parkinson's disease
Xu, X., Fu, Z., & Le, W. (2019) · International Review of Neurobiology · doi:10.1016/bs.irn.2019.06.003 · Cited by 158 · see citing works
- Authors
- Logroscino, G., Sesso, H. D., Paffenbarger, R. S., & Lee, I.-M.
- Affiliations
- Harvard University (US)
- Brigham and Women's Hospital (US)
- Stanford Medicine (US)
- Corresponding author
- Logroscino, G
- Venue
- Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry
- Publisher
- BMJ
- Published
- 2006-07-25
- Volume
- 77
- Issue
- 12
- Pages
- 1318-1322
- ISSN
- 0022-3050 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2015716121
- Cited by
- 105
- References
- 35
- Citations by year
- 2025: 3 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 7 · 2012: 5
- FWCI
- 3.48
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- HighWire Press Open Archive (submittedVersion)
- CINECA IRIS Institutional Research Information System (University of Bari Aldo Moro) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (HL077 548, R21HL077548)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Neurology › Parkinson's Disease Mechanisms and Treatments
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
- Keywords
- Parkinson's disease, physical activity, risk factors, energy expenditure, walking, stair climbing, sports participation, neuroprotection, neurodegenerative diseases, men, incidence
- MeSH terms
- Activities of Daily Living, Aged, Female, Humans, Parkinson Disease, Prospective Studies, Recreation, Risk Factors, Sports, Exercise, Incidence, Multivariate Analysis
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
