Alberts's paper in two parts:
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/751998
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/751998_2

"It Is Not About the Bike, It Is About the Pedaling
Forced Exercise and Parkinson's Disease"
Jay L. Alberts; Susan M. Linder; Amanda L. Penko; Mark J. Lowe1; Micheal Phillips
Exerc Sport Sci Rev. 2011;39(4):177-186.

John

Thanks a million, John, for posting the research papers. For the first time, I see very serious and promising research on exercise that I believe will radically change and improve the medical treatment of PD in a short time. Some of us are already reaping the benefits of this research by simply using normal stationary bicycle. I lift my hat to Jay Alberts and his team and while his research is still at it's infancy, I feel very optimistic that great things will emerge that will bring much relief from PD suffering.
Imad

After reading Jay's "It Is Not About the Bike, It Is About the Pedaling" paper, I posed this question to him: "In your new article you say, 'These global changes in motor function and altered activation patterns provide strong evidence for the hypothesis that for patients with PD to derive motor benefits from exercise, assistance is required to achieve a rate of exercise that triggers the release of neurotrophic factors or possibly dopamine.' I know that you haven't done research with the likes of me, but how do you explain the benefits I, and many others, have from forcing ourselves to cycle at the proper rpm, etc.?"

His response was as I expected: "regarding your question...i really think it is a rate issue. i think the majority of PWP probably need assistance to hit this rate...others, like you may not. we have some really interesting olfaction data that is really supporting the rate hypothesis...patients who pedaled at a high right, assisted or voluntary, improved. those under a certain rate did not, even though they were in the assisted group." He is hoping to use this data to support a neuroprotective trial.

I find another interesting facet emerging from people who are doing the Pedaling for Parkinson's program at the Y. After being in a group setting with assisted cycling on a tandem for eight weeks, all of the participants were able to maintain the 80-90 rpm rate on solo spin bikes, even the one woman who had never been on a bike before. Other people joined the spin class because there wasn't enough room in the tandem class. They were also able to maintain the 80-90 rpm and gain benefits. I wonder if watching others achieve success gave them the impetus to sustain the higher rate. As programs are opening at several Ys around the nation in Dec. and Jan., it will be interesting to gather more data with a larger group.

Then clearly the next step is to start monitoring brain activity and measuring neurotrophics plus other chemicals normally released during exercise between control groups and 80-90 rpm cyclers. A piece of cake...

Oh, I have finally taken the plunge and ordered a new upright exercise bike with RPM display. Will start working up to the magic zone this weekend.

Nan, since you meet quite a few people who have started the program at their local Y's have you met any who have noted it reduces freezing?

Thanks so much!

Laura

Do you think we may have an easier time on spin bike vs. a regular upright? The spinning bike mimics the typical road cycling bike, I take it?

Sorry about all these seemingly obvious questions but I want to invest in something that will result in me being able to do this solo.

Laura

I don't know the answer to your freezing question Laura. People comment that they and those around them see positive changes in both physical and mental aspects of themselves, but I don't know of any empirical data about freezing.

Re the road bike vs spin cycle, I like the road bike on a trainer better because I can adjust the seat and handlebars more precisely, i.e., in smaller increments than on a spin cycle. Both bikes have easily adjustable resistance. Either kind should work for you. You really want something that is stable and that you can get on and off of safely. It's also important to have cages or clip on pedals to hold your feet straight, especially on a road bike where a jerking foot could get caught in a spoke.

Today in Puyallup several people got on my bike to give it a try. Even though I'm only 5'2", some people had difficulty getting their leg over the bar. In those cases I recommended a recumbent stationary bike or an upright with a "girl's" crossbar. Safety first.

Glad to hear you're getting a bike. Please keep a journal. I'll be eager to hear your reports. It takes a while.

any good athletic equipment stores near where you live where you can try different equipment? or an athletic club that lets you sign up month to month or gives a one day free pass so you can try diff bikes? fwiw about a year ago i bought a recumbent lifecycle LC850 RB. tried it out, liked it at the store. hated it after i got home, seemed really jerky motion. i soon discovered it was me who was jerky, not the bike and i needed to have enough meds while cycling. feel a little better after cycling but i'm nowhere near the "magic" level.
schwin recumbents get good marks, i bought the lifecycle from athletic equip store on sale, smaller than schwinn, they assembled, delivered and had 30day return policy. so important to pick a good store. or not.

Soccertese is right on. Especially about being able to return the bike if necessary. We had four spin cycles donated to PFP for people to use on long term loan: as long as they use them, they can keep them. It sounds like they are working well.

This is a bit off the mark, but when we were training for the Kilimanjaro climb, we joined the President's Activity Challenge to record our training progress. They just e-published their latest newsletter with my story in it. Hopefully you'll enjoy it.

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/P...id=Khn8R-WTtcU

In the Washington Post today there is an article on the benefits of exercise for Parkinson's patients that heavily references the work of Dr. J. Alberts. The link is
http://www.washingtonpost.com/nation...1lP_story.html

I think that all of us who are very concerned about research in this area will be happy to note that Jay is doing two trials, one with 60 patients and the other with 100 patients. In the article they also talk about other exercises than cycling, particularly using the rowing machine and lifting weights. Even though those areas have not been researched, it makes sense to me to use a full range of exercises to help us with our disease.

Pedaling for Parkinsons at the Y programs are now operating in Sarasota, Florida as well as in Michigan (Grand Haven), Seattle, and Cleveland. I am hopeful that by this time next year the list will be too long to print.

NanCyclist, I think you've said you might be able to help set up programs at a local Y. Any info you can send me would be appreciated. I'll discuss with my local PD Active group here in the SF Bay Area & see what we can do. Thanks so much for all your inspiring work on this subject.