Getting regular exercise such as cycling, walking, gardening, cleaning and participating in sports may decrease the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease in women, a study suggests. Women who exercised the most had a 25% lower rate of the condition when compared to those who exercised the least. The research also found that 10 years before diagnosis, levels of exercise fell at a faster rate in those with Parkinson’s than in those without, likely due to early symptoms of the disease. Experts suggest the findings support the creation of exercise programmes to help lower the risk of Parkinson’s. Our results support the creation of exercise programmes to help lower the risk of Parkinson’s disease Dr Alexis Elbaz, Inserm research centre Study author Alexis Elbaz, of the Inserm research centre in Paris, France, said: “Exercise is a low-cost way to improve health overall, so our study sought to determine if it may be linked to a lower risk of developing Parkinson’s disease, a debilitating disease that has no cure. “Our results provide evidence for planning interventions to prevent Parkinson’s disease.” Dr Elbaz added: “With our large study, not only did we find that female participants who exercise the most have a lower rate of developing Parkinson’s disease, we also showed that early symptoms of Parkinson’s disease were unlikely to explain these findings, and instead that exercise is beneficial and may help delay or prevent this disease. “Our results support the creation of exercise programmes to help lower the risk of Parkinson’s disease.” The study included 95,354 female participants, mostly teachers, with an average age of 49 who did not have Parkinson’s disease at the start of the study. The women were followed for three decades during which 1,074 of them developed Parkinson’s, and over the course of the study asked to complete up to six questionnaires. They were asked how far they walked and how many flights of stairs they climbed daily, how many hours they spent on household activities as well as how much time they spent doing moderate recreational activities such as gardening and more vigorous activities such as sports. Researchers assigned each activity a score based on the metabolic equivalent of a task (METs), a way to quantify energy expenditure. For each activity, METs were multiplied by their frequency and duration in order to get a physical activity score of METs-hours per week. For example, a more intense form of exercise like cycling was six METs, while less intense exercise such as walking and cleaning was three METs. The average physical activity level for participants was 45 METs-hours per week at the start of the study. Women in the study were divided into four equal groups of just over 24,000 people each. At the start of the study, those in the highest group had an average physical activity score of 71 METs-hours per week, while those in the lowest had an average score of 27. In the group that did the most exercise, there were 246 cases of Parkinson’s disease, compared to 286 cases in the lowest exercise group. After adjusting for factors such as place of residence, age of first period and menopausal status, and smoking, researchers found those in the highest exercise group had a 25% lower rate of developing Parkinson’s disease than those in the lowest exercise group when physical activity was assessed up to 10 years before diagnosis. They found this association remained when physical activity was assessed up to 15 or 20 years before diagnosis. The results were similar after adjusting for diet or medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes and cardiovascular disease, researchers found. The findings were published in the Neurology journal. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Number of children trying vaping rises 50% in a year All of the star cars to look out for in the new Fast X film Spice Girl Geri Horner ‘so proud’ of King Charles as she gives him a hug and kiss

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A professional boxer forced to give up his career after a brain tumour was missed by medics for six years told how he was determined to get his life back. Dad-of-two Peter McDonagh, 45, collapsed at a service station in February 2019 after he stopped the car and started vomiting. He was taken to hospital by ambulance, where he underwent a CT scan which identified a brain tumour near his left ear. An MRI was performed, which identified a mass around 2.7cm by 2.7cm with surgeons removing most of the tumour before radiotherapy. But Peter was devastated to be told the mass had been identified on scans in 2013 and 2017, which were carried out for him to renew his boxing licence. Peter, from Leatherhead, Surrey, hoped to return to his old job as a fishmonger, but it was too unsafe due to issues he now has with balance. He now suffers hearing loss, facial palsy, balance disturbance and psychological symptoms, and is plagued by ‘what ifs’ - but is looking forward to getting hitched. Peter said: “Being diagnosed with a brain tumour was a huge shock to me as I’d been undergoing routine scans for many years so I would’ve expected anything abnormal to have been picked up in those. “One of the main things I’ve struggled with as a result of the tumour is my ongoing symptoms and also having to give up my career. “Boxing was a huge part of my life and I’ve found it really tough to come to terms with no longer being able to compete and do what I love. “After my surgery, I tried to return to my pre-boxing trade of a fishmonger but I also had to give that up as I was unable to balance and the risk of getting hurt was too high. “Since then, I get angry and upset sometimes when I think things may have been different if it the tumour been found sooner. “However, I am on the road to recovery and try my best not to dwell on ‘what ifs’ and focus on my future. The consultant neuroradiologist responsible for performing annual MRI screening on Peter as part of his boxing career, admitted that in 2013 and 2017 a brain tumour was visible on scans but wasn’t reported at the time, which “fell below a reasonable standard of care.” It was also admitted that had it been reported, Peter would have undergone earlier treatment - but as it was missed it continued to grow from 2013 to 2019. Peter collapsed on February 4 2019, when he stopped the car, vomited and fell to the ground. After a CT scan was carried out, he went to A&E four days later complaining of dizziness, and was told the CT scan had found a tumour, which was also visible on a subsequent MRI scan. Previous brain scans for his annual boxing licence were reassessed. On March 12 2019, Peter underwent a 15-hour surgery with the aim of removing around 95 per cent of the tumour, leaving a small mass on the facial nerve to allow it to function properly. He was discharged from hospital five days later, with a plan for six-monthly MRI scans. On 15 March, 2021, radiotherapy was performed following growth of the residual tumour. Two years on, Peter continues to be affected by problems with his hearing and balance, as well as occasional facial twitching and tingling, and he also struggles with his mental health. Since retiring from boxing, Peter is now writing a book about his life and the day-to-day difficulties he faces. He added: “While I would give anything to turn back the clock and change what’s happened, I know that’s not possible. “All I can do now is work hard on my rehabilitation. “I’ve had such great support and I’m determined to get my life back. “I’ve even started writing a book and I hope that by sharing my story, I can show others that there’s help out there.” Thomas Riis-Bristow, specialist medical negligence lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, said: “The last four years have been incredibly difficult for Peter, firstly being diagnosed with a brain tumour but then also having to give up a career he loved as a result. “While he is making great progress with his recovery, he continues to struggle with a number of issues, both physically and emotionally, which have a significant impact on not only him but also his family. “We therefore welcome the admission’s made which will help ensure Peter can benefit from the ongoing rehabilitation he needs to help him move forward with his life. “As part of Action for Brain Injury Week, we join Peter in sharing his story to raise awareness of the help available. We’ll continue to support him as he continues with his recovery.” Action for Brain Injury Week runs from May 15-21 and is supported by the charity Headway. Read More Bowel cancer ‘red flags’ that can show two years before diagnosis Hairy Bikers star Dave Myers says one food has helped him return to work after cancer treatment ‘Hundreds’ of cancer patients denied vital treatment as Israel and Gaza trade fire Father shares cancer symptoms he thought was too much coffee Dean Gaffney says I’m A Celebrity medics ‘saved his life’ after bowel cancer scare GB News in ‘significant breach’ of Ofcom rules over Covid vaccine claims

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