Exercise improves efficacy of levodopa in patients with Parkinson's disease.

The objective was to investigate the impact of exercise on absorption and efficacy of levodopa (LD) in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). A soluble, immediate release LD formulation was given followed by exercise near the aerobic limit on one day to PD patients, who underwent the same procedure only at rest on the second day. LD plasma behavior did not significantly differ between both conditions, but the motor response was significantly better 120 and 150 min after LD intake on the day with exercise than on the day with rest. Moderate exercise increases clinical efficacy of LD.