Sarah Palmer is an exercise professional who works with Cincinnati clients with Parkinson's both at her studio in Blue Ash and in their homes. Her firm foreverfitness also has a number of classes most of which currently meet on Zoom. Sarah has recently been recognized nationally for her fine work, knowledge and experience in the PD field. She was invited to be on the faculty teaching the PWR! Training Course and she was invited to lead the first live Fitness Friday workout sponsored by the Parkinson's Foundation (PF). She also served the Parkinson’s Foundation on the committee to accredit training courses. We asked her to tell us more about her work.
1) How did you first get interested in exercise for Parkinson’s?
Originally, I had one personal training client in Cincinnati who had PD. I wanted to help her, but there wasn't much out there on exercise and PD. So I just used the education that I had (Masters in Exercise Physiology) to see what helped and what didn't. Then my Dad was diagnosed with PD. There was still not much out there, but I wanted to help, so I kept looking. Over time, more education programs and research on exercise and PD were coming out, so that helped and I tried to learn what I could.
2) Throughout your career you have received training in a number of PD-specific exercise methods. Which ones stand out as the most influential ? The most beneficial ?
PWR! Moves (Parkinson Wellness Recovery) is by far the one that has stood out, the most flexible, a framework with variety built in, and the most science-informed. It is the most thorough in its information on Parkinson's disease and the most specific on how to combat the symptoms. The second one would be the ATTP (Allied Team Training for Parkinson's), which typically they do not allow exercise professionals in, but they made an exception for me. It was very thorough. I also took a continuing education course at OHSU (Oregon Health Sciences University), and that was very beneficial.
3) Now that you have been invited to be a PWR! Instructors’ instructor, how will the classes you teach in Cincinnati change?
I am very excited to be part of the PWR! Team. Now that I have been hired as faculty at PWR!, for the PWR! Moves Instructor Certification Workshop, I have already learned a few new things. They just revamped the course to include all of the Exercise Recommendations of the Parkinson's Foundation. Since I have been a PWR! Retreat volunteer for 9 years, I know PWR! very well to begin with, but now I have access to anything new in the research, as well as their videos and other new information. The PWR! team at the PWR! Gym is very knowledgeable. Our classes at foreverfitness have always been based on PD-specific and symptom-specific exercises and try to address the many things that affect people with Parkinson's. We pride our company on our vast and continued education and experience. When you see and understand the science and research of what helps and how, it is very motivating. As soon as I took the pilot of the new workshop, I incorporated some new things into the classes already and shared it with my instructors. It is just such a great framework and they have creative ideas for progressions and adaptations to any exercise.
4) How has your participation in the Parkinson’s Foundation’s training course evaluation process informed your practice?
My participation with the Parkinson's Foundation has been very rewarding. I was part of the committee to develop the competencies for the PD-Specific Exercise courses that are out there. We developed the "gold standard" of what we thought should be the minimum for a PD-specific exercise course to have to be a quality course. We established a level of quality fitness certifications, to ensure a high standard of fitness knowledge, in addition to the appropriate knowledge on Parkinson's disease, exercises that will be effective, leadership skills, etc. Once these competencies were established and finalized, the PF invited 7 PD-specific courses to apply to get the accreditation from the PF. I was invited to serve on the committee to review the applications. This was very interesting, especially in the meetings determining if the courses pass or not. We are in the final stages of this, and I have learned a lot, especially how the courses are different. What this taught me is that it is good to take different courses in this field. I have taken over the years: Delay the Disease, PWR! Moves, Rock Steady Boxing, ATTP, APDA, Brian Grant Foundation, and some other various continuing ed courses on PD and exercise. You can learn something from each one, but taking a variety of courses gives you a well-rounded foundation of knowledge to teach from.
5) In your highly informed opinion what should a person with PD look for in a trainer or an exercise class?
This question is exactly why the Parkinson's Foundation came up with the competencies, because how is a person with PD supposed to know if a trainer or class is a quality class and/or if the instructor knows what to do. Right now, I would suggest that people do their homework. You can look up on PWR! website for certified instructors, as well as Rock Steady Boxing. I would ask what kind of fitness certification the instructors have You should be looking for what is called an NCCA accredited certification. You could also see what their education is. Look for an undergraduate major in Exercise Science, or a Masters Degree in Exercise Physiology. Soon, you will be able to see through the Parkinson's Foundation if the course their instructor took was accredited by the Parkinson's Foundation. If it is, they know it is a quality course and the instructor learned the minimal knowledge to conduct a safe and effective class.The bonus of the PF competencies is that the Exercise Professional also knows which courses to take that are the most effective. As an EP (Exercise Professional), I certainly do not want to waste my time or money on courses that are not up to a high standard.