More
than 200,000 people are diagnosed with Essential Tremors each year.
Essential
Tremor, also known as ET, has no known cause yet is the most common movement
disorder.
ET is distinct from but often misdiagnosed as Parkinson’s disease,
although some patients do have both conditions.
ET and Parkinson’s patients can both benefit positively by the
integration of physical activity into their daily routines.
I recently came across a research study that studied the effects
of strength training on individuals with Essential Tremors. Their goal
was to see if when ET patients incorporated just a seemingly minimal amount of
training into their weekly routine, could it help their symptoms of essential
tremor?’ These symptoms they defined as dexterity and reduction of their tremor.
The exercises included bicep curls, wrists flex and wrist extensions. All done with dumbbells and
on both the most affected and least affected limb. The patients attended
bi-weekly training sessions and were assessed pre and post-training to determine results.
The results showed a reduction in the patients’ tremor amplitude
for the most affected limb. The ET patients also showed improvement in
dexterity which also resulted in improvement for eating ability (involving
controlling a spoon) for the most affected limb. Overall it is safe to
say, incorporating strength/resistance training into your daily or weekly
routine, whether you have Essential Tremors or any movement condition for that
matter, is going to positively benefit you.
So why do I you tell about this research stuff that you may or may
not have just skimmed over? Because for the last year or so I’ve dedicated my
life to bodybuilding. I am living proof there is a direct link from the
benefits of physical activity and healthy eating to the reduction of Essential
Tremors.
Now there are definite stereotypes about bodybuilding; #1-that it
is a male dominated sport (FALSE); #2-that is all about steroids (FALSE); and #3-That
females basically starve themselves to get on stage (FALSE). Bodybuilding
is strategic balancing sport; in my opinion it is about finding your
balance between the gym, your nutrition, your mind, your relationships and
yourself.
The sport of bodybuilding is about believing in something you
cannot yet see and that can be incredibly scary.
I competed for the first time in November of 2017; I’ve done three
shows total and I am not done. Knowing myself growing up, never in a million
years would I have imagined myself up on stage, let alone training for a
fitness competition.
Bodybuilding is not something you just fall into; it’s a mindful
choice with many, many more choices, sacrifices and decisions after the
fact. Adding the extra note of having Essential Tremors, it’s definitely
not an easy process. It’s a ‘prep process’ of revving up metabolism, making your body adjust to eating more to
fuel your metabolism to then cut calories to lean out. There is no secret
pill or secret diet; just a lot of hard work and discipline. It is a
process, and if you do not learn to love your process, what’s the point? You
have to learn to enjoy what you are doing or what’s the point?
I am a completely natural athlete; my reasons for getting on stage
were fueled by tremors. I compete for me, to prove myself wrong. My
daily conditioning and weight-lifting routine has shown me what my body is
capable of and I wouldn’t trade that for the world.
Currently I am studying to become a personal trainer and going
back to school for Exercise Physiology and Wellness Coaching. I encourage
anyone with Essential Tremors or any movement condition to seek out a training
program that fits their lifestyle, age and condition. And if you have any
questions don’t hesitate to reach out!
Attached
below is the research article referenced earlier.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25923582
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