Gym-Based Modified Powerlifting Exercises for People with Early Onset Parkinsons Disease: Study Protocol

Background Although powerlifting has been shown to increase strength and function in some adults, the safety and feasibility of powerlifting exercises modified for people with early onset Parkinsons disease is not known. Methods People with early onset Parkinsons disease (age <50 years) will be invited to engage in eight consecutive weeks of twice-weekly modified powerlifting exercises in a community gymnasium. The primary outcome is the feasibility of powerlifting exercises modified for people with early onset Parkinsons disease, quantified by measures of safety, adverse events, adherence, access, and cost. Secondary outcomes include motor disability, quality of life, psychosocial status, and strength. Semi-structured interviews with participants and exercise trainers will capture experiences, beliefs, and attitudes towards this type of community-based strength training. Discussion Powerlifting may be beneficial for those with early onset Parkinsons disease as it can improve muscle strength, coordination, and balance, and may have neuroprotective effects, potentially slowing down the progression of the disease. However, there is a need to first measure feasibility and safety of modified powerlifting in a small number of individuals before the efficacy can be tested in larger randomised controlled trials. Ethics and dissemination We will publish the findings in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at conferences. The consumer engagement council will guide communication of findings to individuals with early onset Parkinsons disease, ensuring information is accessible and actionable for the target audience. ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. ### Funding Statement This study did not receive any funding ### Author Declarations I confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained. Yes I confirm that all necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived, and that any patient/participant/sample identifiers included were not known to anyone (e.g., hospital staff, patients or participants themselves) outside the research group so cannot be used to identify individuals. Yes I understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance). Yes I have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines, such as any relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material, if applicable. Yes All data produced from this feasibility trial will be made available upon reasonable request to the authors.