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Essential Tremors: Bodybuilding


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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