dianesam

I have suffered with Parkinson's for 16 years now and there is no doubt that I should do more exercise. I am not keen on exercise and easily get bored. I read a recent article recommending cycling as one of the best forms of exercise for the condition. Does anyone know about this or have any details.
Thanks.

livedarklions

Wow, I don't know much about Parkinson's, but your post caused me to google about the benefits of cycling for people with it. Sounds like you might benefit greatly from stationary or outdoor riding. I find stationary bikes too boring for me but I really love the get outside and go see stuff aspect of biking.

I really hope this works for you. If you try it, can you follow up with us and tell us how it worked out? Your experiences might be helpful to other people.

Bassmanbob

Doing the Cross Florida Ride in 2018, I met a whole group of riders from Puerto Rico who support a guy with Parkinson’s. After the ride I talked to him at length about his disease and how cycling has significantly improved his quality of life and extended it. I don’t remember specifically how old he was but he was about middle aged. I was very impressed with his story and his friends’s support and their stories about him. I then saw some of them again a month later in NY at the GFNY event.

Go for it and ride, man!

shelbyfv

Your doc may have an opinion

martianone

Yes, plenty of info of cycling helping to improve some Parkinson's affects.
A few years ago, some data from a group in Ohio (perhaps Cleveland clinic, forget the source),
showed parients who had a hard time getting on a bike, but had improved kinetics off the bike.

SurferRosa

Cycling is good for everyone. Well, maybe not if you're blind or missing both arms. But for pretty much everyone...

Flip Flop Rider

riding a bike (to me) is not really exercise. You don't have to push yourself too much, just slowly get moving

Flip Flop Rider

should have added that cycling has obvious health benefits, but I don't dred it, like running or other forms of "exercise"

canklecat

*Any* aerobic exercise is good for you, Parkinson's or not, assuming there are no contradictory complications.

I was my mom's caregiver during her final decade with dementia and essential tremors that resembled Parkinson's. Her brother had Parkinson's in his 80s, but mom never got a definitive diagnosis. She always did better, physically and cognitively, when she got a little exercise. The tricky part was motivating her. As she aged and her condition worsened she lacked any motivation to do anything. On days when she would at least get up and use her walker to check the mail, she was brighter and more active. On days when she slept or sat all day she was less connected, didn't eat well, etc.

A local former world boxing champ runs a gym that offers boxing workout oriented aerobic fitness classes specifically for folks with Parkinson's. He found that some folks were bored with other types of exercise programs but were invigorated and motivated by the non-contact boxing workouts. No sparring, no physical contact to the practitioner, but pretty much everything else is included.

Bill in VA

1. Check with your MD, and if you have one a PT..

My father had it. He probably could have ridden (never one of his interests), but due to balance issues, I believe his getting on the bike, getting going, and dismounting would have been something that might have needed assistance and a very careful selection of bicycle, as well as a riding partner who could assist him getting up if he fell. I think coming to a stop would have been the hardest part. A frank evaluation of your balance and coordination capabilities would need to take place and then you could tailor a bike (or maybe a trike or recumbant trike) to your starting out limitations. He used to get thirsty from the medications, so that 'may' be an issue. He was in a group called the Parkinsonians, and they often had talks on exercises, and how to improve balance and strength.

The one thing that required a lot of attention was his stumbling backwards. Admittedly he did not exercise as much as he should have and it was probably part of his issues, but he did walk as much as possible. One year surf fishing he caught a fish and setting the hook caused him to fall on his back (fortunately in soft sand), but he fought that fish up onto the beach and did not give up.

Best wishes.

flacplnj

Seriously,as several people have already suggested, you really should consult with your physician. Even if someone has experience with this disease every person is different. Speaking with your treating physician will surely give you the best answers for your situation.
God Bless

dianesam

Thanks to everyone for your replies; very helpful.

T.W.O.

Check out Davis Phinney's foundation for Parkinson's Disease (https://davisphinneyfoundation.org/). Phinney was one of the best American racers in the 80's and 90's. He came down with the disease and his foundation appears to be a major focus. He has some good information on how e-bikes have helped him continue cycling and he also touts the benefits of cycling for Parkinson's sufferers.

burritos

It won't cure Parkinson's but barring an accident, it'll definitely help. Also, imho, eating a keto diet and doing intermittent fasting will also drive your metabolism in a similar direction.

mr_bill

Please please talk with your doctor and physical therapist.

Yes, there are some reports that some people find riding a bicycle helpful.

What does that mean for you?

Please talk with your doctor and physical therapist.

-mr. bill

fietsbob

Going places on your bike helps the boredom , the effect on Parkinson's is not my bailiwick , that's for Medical professionals..

rydabent

And riding a trike may be a safe alternative for you.

tomato coupe

+1

burritos

https://www.aplaceformom.com/caregiv...-of-parkinsons

Some of the old links don't work unfortunately.

70sSanO

After you have sorted things out with doctors, PT, etc., the above is an excellent suggestion. If possible, it might make sense get an e-assist trike so you can keep you legs moving, but get a little help as needed.

Good luck.

John

Milton Keynes

I was going to suggest this, too. If getting on/off a bike and balancing is an issue, then perhaps a trike would work. I certainly don't see how getting exercise on one would hurt. But I also agree with everyone else who says to speak to your doctor about it first. He/she knows more about your medical condition than anyone on this forum does.

jwls

Sharing as it might be of interest.
A local (to me) story from 2018. A University Professor diagnosed with Parkinson's undertaking a study, based on himself, regarding cycling and Parkinson's and barriers to cycling with Parkinson's.

https://news.umanitoba.ca/ride-with-rick/

University of Manitoba - Environment and Geography - ?Just Do It!?

There is also an instagram account and facebook account for "RideswithRick" that covers their trip.

donheff

I was just diagnosed with Parkinson's a couple of weeks ago at age 72. Mild tremors in my right arm prompted me to Google it and I got one of those "oh, my" moments when I saw the list of non-motor symptoms. I have a lot, many going back years - luckily no cognitive or emotional symptoms yet. A motion disorder specialist tentatively confirmed my diagnosis a few days later. I am curious if many other riders here have Parkinson's and, if so, how quickly it limited their riding. I was happy to see the OP is 16 years in and interested in cycling. I would be pleased as punch to get even a decade more. I joked with a friend that I have been following developments in light weight ebikes for future use but now may start looking at etrikes, Not so much of a joke if my balance starts to deteriorate. I hope I can find some etrikes.

I stumbled on a fascinating ABC News piece about an elderly PD patient with a terrible tremor who lost the tremor entirely while cycling and for a brief period after. I will see if I can figure out how to embed it here. If not, maybe the link will come through. Oh well, can't get the link to work in Chrome. Here is the iframe reference and the url:

<iframe src="https://abcnews.go.com/video/embed?id=10264680" width="640" height="360" scrolling="no" style="border:none;" allowfullscreen></iframe>

URL: https://abcnews.go.com/WNT/video/pat...nsons-10264680

MoAlpha

donheff

Thanks I need a tutorial on embedding.