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Parkinson’s Disease impairs the body’s ability to tackle “automatic”
activities such as walking—something we do without thinking twice.
So why exactly is hiking over roots and rocks easier than walking on
pavement? Kowalchuk explains: “I askedmy doctor, ‘Why do I have
trouble walking on the road, but not as much trouble walking in the
bush?’ It turns out that walking on uneven surfaces requires a kind of
constant vigilance and a conscious analysis of sensory input, like surface
texture, colour, gradient, etc. When your body processes all this input in
this conscious way, it utilizes a different neural pathway—one that isn’t as
compromised by PD.”
The upshot? The simple act of navigating the Bruce Trail can spur the
body to “outwit” chronic disease. “Hiking increases my body’s ability to
cope and compensate,” Kowalchuk adds. “You’ve probably heard the term
‘neuroplasticity’; a lot of PD research is around how the body can find
another way to do the same thing when the normal route isn’t working.
Hiking on the Bruce Trail with its varied and changing landscapes
provides a different physical challenge every time, depending on the
part of the trail you’re hiking. Althoughmy motor ability is impaired by
PD, perhaps I am utilizing some new kind of strategy that allows me to
remain surprisingly able to navigate any terrain.”
Kowalchuk is aware that others may not agree that someone with PD
should hike the Trail. In fact, she doesn’t know anyone else with PDwho
hikes. (For extra safety she always hikes with trekking poles and sturdy
boots, and as part of a group.) “I participate in a lot of clinical studies.
For many people with PD that I know, their exercise is walking or on a
machine at home or in the gym—safe activities. Most people don’t want
to put themselves out there. But I feel that they’d be surprised at how
good it wouldmake them feel to be outside combining exercise and
challenge with the beauty and delight that the Trail offers.”
This final sentence could apply to all of us.
Adifferent versionof thisarticleappeared in
Bruce Trail Magazine.
“Hikingutilizesadifferent neural pathway—
one that isn’t as compromisedbyParkinson’s.”
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