Forced exercise: cycling in the treatment of Parkinsons …

I dont have Parkinsons when Im on my bike, says Larry Smith. Apparently even advanced Parkinsons patients can cycle. The bike gives Larry independence and makes him feel good.

With all the antagonism and negativity about whether or not cyclists have a right to share the road, or deserve infrastructure safety improvements, it pleases me to be able to share stories like this.

On New Years Day I rode my bike 35 miles to a friends party in Bellevue, WA. It was there I had the good fortune to meet a guy who told me about a program he was volunteering for in which Parkinsons patients were paired with cyclists on stationary tandem bikes for a study on the benefits of forced exercise. Forced exercise doesnt mean the person doesnt want to exercise. Its that their body is unable to move at a particular pace without being forced by their tandem partner. The film clip below will show you what thats about.

Cycling and Parkinsons Disease: Whats the link?

In the past few years, several studies have begun to show a beneficial relationship between cycling and Parkinsons in both disease diagnosis and in potential neuroprotective benefit. An important research trial funded by the Davis Phinney Foundation has brought together two of the leading researchers in this field, Dr. Jay Alberts of Cleveland Clinic and Dr. Bastiaan Bloem of Nijmegen Medical Centre in the Netherlands to continue to explore this link.

Ride With Larry: a short documentary film

This documentary focuses on Larry Smith, a retired police captain, beloved small-town baker, and avid cyclist who has had Parkinsons for the last 20 years.

Northwest Parkinsons Foundation needs you to be part of their STP Team.

I contacted Alecha Newbern, Program Director for Northwest Parkinsons Foundation for information so I could bring you this story. I knew, after hearing about this many people in the cycling community would want to get involved. The forced exercise tandem cycling program is still too new and small scale to accept a major influx of new volunteers, though that time may yet come.

However, Northwest Parkinsons Foundation has an STP team and is in serious need of cyclists to join their team. The number of STP team participants has been declining for several years. I suggested this story had the potential to boost participation since many readers may already be riding the STP. Alecha told me they go all out to support team members and that some of the team riders have Parkinsons.

Upon fundraising a minimum of $500 each Team Parkinsons rider will receive the care and pampering usually reserved for elite cycling teams. Joining the team doesnt mean you have to ride with the team as a group. You can still ride at your own pace.

Benefits include:

Other resources

Tagged as:forced exercise, Northwest Parkinson's Foundation, Parkinson's, STP, Team Parkinson's

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