The article is not yet available. Talking with Jay, I understand it confirms the initial research with more detailed examination of data. The issue is rpm, keeping it at 80-90 whether by tandem or machine driven bike while making sure the patient is providing energy, not just letting the bike turn the legs around. Measuring heart rate ensures the patient is putting forth energy. I asked him about people like me who keep the cadence on our own and he said that although there has been no specific research on solo cyclists, anecdotal information, plus common sense confirm that it's the cadence, and the fact that the heart rate is in the correct zone of 60-85% of MHR, not what kind of bike you're using to get it there, that counts.

Hi Nan,

We ran across this link about a young man filming a documentary about a group of people raising awareness and funding for both AD and PD. They are climbing mountains around the globe beginning in France and culminating on Everest. Their summit over the summer was Kiliminjaro. Is this a cohort of your group or is it coincidence?

http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news...ust-469879.php

Thanks!

Laura

I see this story ran in April 2010 so they must have climbed Kili last summer. It sounds like a great project. This is the first I've heard of it. Unfortunately, we were not able to put together a documentary film crew for our trip.

Thanks for clarifying. I didn't think to check the date; I thought person who sent me the link in the first place would have caught that. I wish your group had gotten more publicity.

Laura

Hello all. I'm happy to be back on line, connecting with you all. My doctor estimated it would take 3-4 months to recover from climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro. However, it was exactly two months from the date of standing on the top of Africa that my nausea and general malaise left. One person asked if I had considered how much this trip shortened my life or quality of life. But another asked if I had considered how much it added to my life. I think the latter is happening. I'm back to riding the bike at least an hour 4 or more days per week and I feel stronger than ever. Yesterday I broke into a trot on a gravel road. I trotted for about a quarter mile before slowing to a walk. I haven't been able to trot more than 50 steps for several years.

I understand that Pedaling for Parkinson's at the Y is happening in Grand Haven, MI and will start between October and November in Cleveland and Seattle. I'm still on the road and haven't checked the current start dates. I so hope that many people will sign up and find some of the relief I have found from pedaling.

After reading the news about Azilect, I decided to stop taking it if my doctor approved. He did. I'm on my third day without the drug. Although I feel more weary, I don't sense any other side effects so far.

Pedaling for Parkinson's is also underway in Sarasota, FL with 24 people in the first class!

I'll be giving a talk on PFP and Kilimanjaro on Nov. 17, Thursday, at 12:15 at Life Care Center of Puyallup, 511 10th Ave SE, Puyallup, WA 98372 David Howell is the host. I'm planning on bringing my bike so people can see how the tools work.

I also have two stationary bikes that have been donated for PD patients who want to try the pedaling program. Let me know if you're interested. They are in Seattle.

Nan,

Thanks for updating us. I have been curious about looking at this through a larger window. We are too focused on the type of exercise (cycling). What if Dr. Albert were to measure the forced pace against other vigorous exercise like running or elliptical trainer? Researchers keep looking at vigorous vs. moderate; maybe a combo like interval training is even better for us?

I started thinking about this based on the amazing difference adding acetyl l-carnatine into my daily regimen has made. I take one 500 mg capsule in the morning and experience virtually no wearing offs, and if I do symptoms are much less pronounced. It is a powerful anti-inflammatory, plus it increase mental alertness and boosts energy. I learned that acetyl l- carnatine is something we naturally produce through vigorous or intense exercise. Could this be a factor somehow? Maybe the 80-90 rpm puts you into a "zone" where this is released? This would also explain why symptomatic benefit does not seem to be permanent...just a thought.

assuming forced exercise benefits are confirmed by alberts 2nd study, i would think the ultimate goal is to figure out what beneficial chemicals are being produced and try to create a pharmaceutical treatment, either a drug or otc. actually figure out what is going on in the brain, the forced exercise is just a means to an end.
fwiw, i get a noticeable short lived benefit from ginseng, maybe 2 hrs of greater alertness and energy.

That's wonderful to hear about the positive reaction you're having from adding acetyl l-carnatine, Conductor 71 and the ginseng sounds good too. We know so little. Dr. Alberts has tried the elliptical and other forms of exercise to try to get the cycling results, but it seems that churning the legs at the high rpm is what does the trick. People can't do it for long if they are weight bearing, hence the cycling. Soccertese, I agree with you about the ultimate goal being to figure out why this works and then how to replicate it so everyone can use it. In the meantime, I am thankful something as positive as cycling is working for so many. I hope I can meet you on the 17th in Puyallup.

maybe there is some common thread with the rapid cycling action?
admittedly haven't checked if later research was done to verify this study but i seem to remember discussion here about vibrating table helping?

http://www.degroenegolven.nl/argeweb...0parkinson.pdf