ORIGINAL RESEARCH Comparative Effect of Power Training and High-Speed Yoga on Motor Function in Older Patients With Parkinson Disease Meng Ni, PhD, a Joseph F. Signorile, PhD, a,b Kiersten Mooney, MS, c Anoop Balachandran, MS, a Melanie Potiaumpai, MS, a Corneliu Luca, MD, PhD, d James G. Moore, PT, PhD, e Christopher M. Kuenze, PhD, a Moataz Eltoukhy, PhD, a Arlette C. Perry, PhD a From the a Laboratory of Neuromuscular Research and Active Aging, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL; b Center on Aging, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL; c Green Monkey Yoga, Miami, FL; and Departments of d Neurology and e Physical Therapy, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL. Abstract Objectives: To compare the effects of power training (PWT) and a high-speed yoga program on physical performances in older patients with Parkinson disease (PD), and to test the hypothesis that both training interventions would attenuate PD symptoms and improve physical performance. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Setting: A laboratory of neuromuscular research and active aging. Participants: Patients with PD (NZ41; mean age  SD, 72.26.5y). Interventions: Two high-speed exercise interventions (specifically designed yoga program and PWT) were given for 12 weeks (twice a week), and 1 nonexercise control group. Main Outcome Measures: Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale motor score (UPDRS MS ), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Mini-Balance Evalu- ation Systems Test (Mini-BESTest), Timed Up and Go, functional reach, single leg stance (SLS), postural sway test, 10-m usual and maximal walking speed tests, 1 repetition maximum (RM), and peak power (PPW) for leg press. Results: For the posttests, both training groups showed significant improvements (P< .05) in all physical measurements except functional reach on the more affected side, SLS, and postural sway compared with the pretests, and significantly better scores for UPDRS MS , BBS, Mini-BESTest, Timed Up and Go, functional reach on the less affected side, 10-m usual and maximal walking speed tests, 1RM, and PPW than controls, with no differences detected between the yoga program and PWT. Conclusions: Both the specially designed yoga program and PWT programs can significantly improve physical performance in older persons with PD. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 2016;97:345-54 ª 2016 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine Reduced motor function in Parkinson disease (PD), especially balance and mobility, typically results in loss of independence, increased fall incidence and related injuries, and reduced activity levels. 1,2 Bradykinesia, 1 of the cardinal symptoms of PD, has been attributed to rigidity, tremor, and muscle weakness. 3 Muscle power (force  velocity), especially leg power, has a greater effect on independence, 4,5 mobility, 3 and fall reduction 6,7 than strength in healthy older and PD populations, while decreased movement speed and muscle weakness significantly contribute to loss of muscle power in PD, especially when moving light to moderate loads. 3 These factors are especially important since most daily activities, 4 such as housekeeping, walking, and recovering from a stumble, require rapid movements under light to moderate external loading conditions. Disclosures: none. 0003-9993/15/$36 - see front matter ª 2016 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2015.10.095 Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation journal homepage: www.archives-pmr.org Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 2016;97:345-54