We have been observing an alarming number of patients presenting to the clinic who have been placed on "forced exercise bike" programs by personal trainers. Often the trainers are pushing the Parkinson's disease patients to pedal at 90 revolutions per minute or higher. Parkinson's disease patients should be aware that this disease is not a "one size fits all." It may be ok for select early Parkinson's disease patients in outstanding physical health to immediately be pedaling this fast, however for many patients this level of intensity could be inappropriate. Many Parkinson's patients may not be able to achieve this level even with training. Recent evidence from an exercise trial by Lisa Shulman indicated that the highest levels of intensity may actually not have been the best.

Taking all of the available evidence into consideration, we have been recommending that patients interface with their doctors and start at lower revolutions per minute programs (40-60rpm) and work their way up to a pace that is comfortable and reasonable for their body.

Forced exercise seems to help some patients in recent studies and I paste a recent abstract below:

Exerc Sport Sci Rev. 2011 Oct;39(4):177-86. doi: 10.1097/JES.0b013e31822cc71a.

It is not about the bike, it is about the pedaling: forced exercise and Parkinson's disease.

Alberts JL, Linder SM, Penko AL, Lowe MJ, Phillips M.

Source

Department of Biomedical Engineering, Center for Neurological Restoration, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, 9500 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44195, USA. albertj@ccf.org

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.

PMID:21799425[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

To read more books and articles by Michael S. Okun MD check Twitter @MichaelOkun and these websites with blogs and information on his books and http://parkinsonsecrets.com/ #EndingPD and https://www.tourettetreatment.com/

Warning: Parkinson's Patients Overdoing Forced Biking Exercise

It is not about the bike, it is about the pedaling: forced exercise and Parkinson's disease.

Source

Abstract

To read more on Indu Subramanian M.D. she does live interviews of experts in Parkinson’s for the PMD Alliance. She is one of the few doctors in the world trained in both Parkinson’s disease neurology and in integrative medicine.

To see more on our blog by artist Jonny Acheson MD check out his website at JonnyAchesonArt.com. Jonny is a physician in the U.K. who also has Parkinson’s disease.

Dr. Michael S. Okun

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Warning: Parkinson's Patients Overdoing Forced Biking Exercise

It is not about the bike, it is about the pedaling: forced exercise and Parkinson's disease.

Source

Abstract

To read more on Indu Subramanian M.D. she does live interviews of experts in Parkinson’s for the PMD Alliance﻿. She is one of the few doctors in the world trained in both Parkinson’s disease neurology and in integrative medicine.

To see more on our blog by artist Jonny Acheson MD check out his website at JonnyAchesonArt.com. Jonny is a physician in the U.K. who also has Parkinson’s disease.

Dr. Michael S. Okun

To read more on Indu Subramanian M.D. she does live interviews of experts in Parkinson’s for the PMD Alliance. She is one of the few doctors in the world trained in both Parkinson’s disease neurology and in integrative medicine.