Exercise is generally accepted as beneficial for the alleviation of Parkinson’s Disease (PD) symptoms. The Clinical Neurologist International has just published an open-access article that reviews the most recent research with a focus on types of exercise and their benefits for specific motor symptoms:

Martinez-Ramirez D, Kraslow M, Armstrong MJ, Ramirez-Zamora A, Almeida L, Besharat A, et al. Update on Non-Traditional Exercises in Parkinson’s Disease: A Motor Symptom-Focused Approach. Clin Neurol Int. 2019; 1(1): 1004.

From the abstract:

… it is crucial to better characterize the benefits of exercise in PD. … we discuss the most recent studies analyzing the clinical effects of various modalities of exercise in PD, including physical therapy, aerobic exercise, strength and resistance training, and nontraditional forms of activity such as tai chi, dancing, aquatics, and boxing. We also provide … expert recommendations based on current evidence and highlight issues that remain unresolved (e.g. the best type of exercise, symptomatic benefits based on different modalities, optimal frequency and duration, and duration of benefit).

It appears that the authors limited their search to those studies that looked into motor symptoms of PD, and perhaps this is why their list of references doesn’t include Rehfield et al.’s 2018 article on the superiority of a dance program to repetitive physical exercise in increasing brain plasticity. Nor do they look into other approaches, such as musical training and practice, as possible ways to improve cognitive function, brain plasticity, and quality of life.

As a person with PD, I personally find that an eclectic and inclusive approach, using medications, Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), physical exercise (including dance-related, vocal/singing and breathing exercise), diet, and social activities related to specific interests (like native plants and photography) works best for me. For others, the mix will differ.

The authors of this review reach much the same conclusion:

…evidence suggesting that any and all types of exercise can provide short-term clinical and quality of life benefits. More research is needed to help understand if exercise programs provide generalized benefits or what strategies should be used to address particular deficits. Balance, flexibility, and stretching seem to improve motor symptoms and decrease falls, contributing to an improvement in overall function. Aerobic training appears to improve cognition, cardiovascular health, gait, and reaction time. Resistance training provides the strongest benefit in strength. Nontraditional exercise programs, including tango, tai chi, cycling, aquatic therapy, and boxing are potentially beneficial options for each patient

In short: Find out what types of exercise you like to do, do what you like to do, and keep on doing it to help reduce the symptoms of PD.

(Coincidentally, most of the authors are associated with my alma mater, the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL).