Washington, April 24 : A new study suggests that moderate to vigorous exercise or other recreational activities may reduce the risk of Parkinson’s disease in sexagenarian people.

Researchers at Harvard school of Public Health followed more than 143,000 people with an average age of 63, for over 10years. During that period, 413 people developed Parkinson’s disease.

Upon analysis of the subjects, the researchers found that people who participated in moderate to vigorous activities were 40 per cent less likely to develop Parkinson’s disease than others having zero or very less activity levels.

The researchers said that subjects with moderate to vigorous activity were exercising an average of half an hour per day or more.

“This study does not prove that exercise caused the lowered risk of Parkinson’s disease – it’s possible that something else lowers the risk,” said the study’s lead author, Evan L. Thacker from the Harvard School of Public Health.

“But considering all of the other benefits of exercise, it certainly doesn’t hurt to make sure you get some moderate or vigorous exercise several times a week,” he added.

The researchers, however, said that they did not see any significant relationship between the levels of physical activity at the age of 40 and the risk of Parkinson’s disease.

“If exercise truly does provide some protection against Parkinson’s disease, the protection may be relatively short term,” Thacker said.

“However, in a previous study with a similar prospective design activity in early adulthood was related to lower risk for Parkinson’s disease, so the jury’s still out on this one,” he added.

The study will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s 59th Annual Meeting in Boston, scheduled to be held from April 28 to May 5. (ANI)