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Parkinson's disease affects the balance and mobility. Physical activity has an important role in minimizing the effects of the disease and may provide benefits in patient mobility. The study aimed to compare the balance and mobility performance of active and inactive patients with Parkinson's disease. The study included 41 patients distributed in active (19) and inactive (22) groups according to the score obtained in the Baecke questionnaire modified for the elderly and it was confirmed by amount of the practice of regular physical activity. All patients were assessed for the balance through the Berg balance scale and in relation to mobility through the Timed Up and Go test. There were no significant between group differences for balance. However, active patients were better (6.86 ± 1.16 s) in mobility when compared with inactive patients (9.19 ± 4.40 s). Maintaining optimal levels of physical activity is an important factor to improve the mobility performance of patients with Parkinson's disease, reflecting in daily activities and quality of life.

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The locomotor behavior of individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD) is strongly affected by the Levodopa kinetics. Then, our aim was to analyze indirectly the Levodopa kinetics on the locomotor behavior during one day by means of the gait kinematic analyses during obstacle avoidance of one PD patient in advanced stage. WM, man, 72 years of age, 18 years with PD, stage IV of the disease, participated in this study. WM presented the following history: PD initiated by tremors of the right hand followed by tremors on the left hand, rigidity in the right lower limb first and on the left lower limb latter and then the cervical region; palidotomy 10 years ago decreasing the tremors. WM came into the lab for testing twice in the same day. During the afternoon, the patient presented larger improvements in his motor functions. The spatial and temporal parameters of the free walking and the obstacle avoidance revealed a cumulative effect of the motor responses to the Levodopa. This effect was observed by improvements in all variables and their variability. WM used adaptive locomotor strategies during obstacle avoidance. The Levodopa was efficient to normalize the gait pattern during the day.