Facilitating Motor Skill Learning in Parkinson's Disease II (FaST-PD II) (FaST-PD II)

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that is characterized by motor control impairments, such as gait disturbances and postural instability. Beneficial effects of exercise are attributed to mechanisms of neuroplasticity, and task-specific motor training (repeated practice of a skill) is consequently considered to be a motor learning process. Importantly, the formation (acquisition) and consolidation of motor memories is impaired in PD compared to healthy individuals of similar age.

Thus, it is crucial to identify strategies to enhance motor learning in people with PD. Recent studies have accumulated evidence to show that acute (single bouts of) cardiovascular exercise can facilitate motor skill learning. However, this evidence is mainly derived from studying healthy individuals. In a first study including PD patients, we recently found improved motor memory consolidation, but not skill acquisition, when practice was preceded by a single bout of cardiovascular exercise.

These results suggest that acute exercise may enhance motor memory formation processes, but could potentially interfere with motor skill acquisition when performed prior to practice. Consequently, the present study investigates whether performing a single bout of cardiovascular exercise immediately following skill practice will enhance motor memory consolidation without affecting skill acquisition in PD.

In an experimental trial, participants will be randomly allocated to one of two groups. Both groups will practice balancing on a stability platform (motor learning task). The experimental group will additionally perform a bout of aerobic exercise (cycle ergometer) immediately following motor practice, while the control group will rest. Subsequently, motor skill retention will be tested after 24 hour and seven-days.