“I haven’t had any medical people tell me that I shouldn’t go all out,” says our protagonist in this episode, Nordic John. He’s 80 years young but still competing internationally in cross-country skiing despite the onset of Parkinson’s disease a decade ago. “That is really effective when you push yourself to the limit.”
Our expert guest, Dr. Jerry Vitek, Head of Neurology at the University of Minnesota Medical School, confirms John’s experience. “Exercise is one of the best things we can do and recommend to our patients.”
Nordic John’s wife, Gina, attests that John is no stranger to the vigorous challenge of cross country skiing. John directed the Nordic Skiing Program at the Craftsbury Outdoor Center in Vermont for decades. And both attended the 2023 Master’s World Cup of Skiing in Austria.
“I just need to get him to the start line because then when the gun goes off he just knows what to do,” she explains.
That means Nordic John’s muscle memory for skiing remains intact despite the onset of other symptoms, such as tremors and loss of balance.
“There's no question that when you start to become proficient at something, you've clearly changed those connections and strengthened them,” confirms Dr. Vitek.
We’ll also hear from Coach Ollie, who has taken over John’s former position at the Craftsbury Center yet now directs John at his Master’s practices. And we’ll learn about the important role played by the actor Michael J. Fox and his foundation in raising $1 billion for Parkinson’s research so far.
How do John and Gina fare in disappointing snow conditions at the Master’s World Cup? What important research is on the horizon for the many millions of Parkinson’s patients worldwide?
Tune in to learn more on this final My Body Odyssey episode of Season Two, Nordic John on the Parkinson’s Trail.
My Body Odyssey is a Fluent Knowledge production. Original music by Ryan Adair Rooney.
SHOW NOTES
Experts:
Jerrold Vitek, MD, PhD
Studies:
Deep Brain Stimulation for Parkinson Disease: An Expert Consensus and Review of Key Issues
Forced, Not Voluntary, Exercise Improves Motor Function in Parkinson's Disease Patients
Resources
What is Parkinson’s?
Parkinson’s disease: overview and symptoms
Stanford Medicine: The Benefits of Exercise for PD
Parkinson’s Foundation: Exercise
NIH: Role of Physical Activity in Parkinson’s Disease
American Parkinson Disease Association: Which types of exercise are best for Parkinson’s?
American Parkinson Disease Association: Approved Medications for Parkinson's
American Association of Neurological Surgeons: Causes of Parkinson's
Parkinson's Foundation: Postural Instability
Stanford Medicine: The science behind muscle memory
Preserved motor memory in Parkinson's disease
Benefits of physical exercise on Parkinson’s disease disorders induced in animal models
Neurotrophic Factors
Growth Factors
The Relationship Between Stress, Anxiety, and Parkinson's Disease
How Stress and Stress Management Impact Parkinson’s
Can Exercise Slow Parkinson's Disease Progression? with Daniel Corcos, PhD
The Michael J. Fox Foundation For Parkinson’s Research
John Broadhead: VT Ski Hall of Fame, 2019
Climate change makes the future of Nordic skiing uncertain
Craftsbury Outdoor Center
Ski For Parkinson’s
University of Michigan Udall Center of Excellence for Parkinson's Disease Research
Jaxon XC
Bethel Outing Club
NENSA
Nonstop Nordic
Silver Star