Exerc Sport Sci Rev. 2011 Oct;39(4):177-86.
It is not about the bike, it is about the pedaling: forced
exercise and Parkinson's disease.
Source
Abstract
Forced exercise has resulted in neuroprotective effects and improved motor function in animal studies. These promising results have not yet been translated fully to humans with Parkinson's disease (PD), as traditional exercise interventions have not yielded global improvements in function. A novel forced exercise intervention is described that has resulted in improved motor function and central nervous system function in PD patients.
Dr Jay Alberts may have stumbled upon something ten years ago while riding a tandem in Iowa, but he didn't stop there. He then took that fortuitous outcome and has scientifically pursued its validity ever since. His clinical research continues to garner national news attention such as the national news story that featured Jay and me about exercise and Parkinson's this past April.
https://www.michaeljfox.org/foundation/news-detail.php?video-bike-riding-helps-parkinsons-patients-ease-their-symptoms
Enter Nan Little...persistently persistent is how Jay might have described her several years back. After hearing about Jay's work, Nan wanted to know how she could 'duplicate the study' herself as she lived on the west coast which is no where near Cleveland. She is a flyfisher woman who, because of her PD, was having trouble tying her lures. Jay's study had shown a 35% reduction in arm tremor in the forced exercise group which is the kind of results Nan was looking for. After many pleas from Nan, Jay took a break from his grant writing and answered her. They have been good friends & entrepreneurial partners ever since.
Nan began a regimen nearly identical to that assigned to the forced-exercise study arm with the only difference being that the only thing forcing her to maintain an 80-90 rpm cadence was her own two legs...no 'forced motor' on her bike. Nan will tell anyone who will listen that she too had a significant improvement in her symptoms and that her neurologist readily concurred. So Nan extended this 'lab result' and applied it to the 'real life' scenario where she needed it most...the bank of a river. Nan now travels with her bike, sets it up on a trainer on the river's edge and then fast paced cycles for 50 min...all while checking out the action in the river. Once she has completed her ride, she gets off her bike, dons her waders and then heads into the river fully able to tie her own lures.
Having a non-pharmaceutical way to improve her symptoms was a big deal so why not figure out a way to extend this therapy to other persons with PD....TAA DAA !!! (to make a long story a lot shorter). Pedaling For Parkinson's (PFP) and it's satellite program PFP at The Y.
The Mission of PFP
- To improve the quality of life of Parkinson’s disease patients and their caregivers;
- To educate patients, caregivers and the general public about the benefits of maintaining an active lifestyle after a Parkinson’s diagnosis;
- To support research dedicated to prevention and treatment of Parkinson’s disease.
out of which was born...
PFP at The Y.
In honor of this 10th anniversary ride, all funds raised this year will be going to support "Pedaling for Parkinson's at the Y" programs throughout the US. The goal of these programs is to make the exercise interventions we have shown effective available to Parkinson's disease patients throughout North America at a community level. An obstacle to starting programs at some of these locations is funds to support equipment and staffing (think of a YMCA in Iowa or Michigan or pick your favorite state with a limited budget, but with willing participants..these are the places we will be helping). The Cleveland site is close to opening it's doors but the intent is to offer this far and wide.
My own testimonial is why I am riding RAGBRAI again...and why I may find myself one day saying "I cannot believe it has been 10 years since I rode Big Blue!"
If you feel so inclined to make a donation, there is a link at the top right corner of this blog site.
karen
My dad was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease his symptoms were shuffling of feet,slurred speech, low volume speech, degradation of hand writing, horrible driving skills, right arm held at 46 degree angle, but now he finally free from the disease with the help of total cure from ULTIMATE LIFE CLINIC, he now walks properly and all symptoms has reversed, he had trouble with balance especially at night, getting into the shower and exiting it is difficult,getting into bed is also another thing he finds impossible.we had to find a better solution for his condition which has really helped him a lot,the biggest helped we had was ultimate life clinic they walked us through the proper steps,am highly recommended this www.ultimatelifeclinic.com to anyone who needs help.
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