One of the questions we are asked often is this:
“Does cycling really help people with Parkinson’s?”
While we’d never say it helps everyone with Parkinson’s, or that it is an exercise you must do if you want to live well with Parkinson’s, research studies have shown that many people have experienced significant benefits from pushing pedals on a regular basis.
Depending upon pace and intensity, cycling has been shown to:
- Improve overall motor function
- Reduce tremor
- Reduce bradykinesia
- Reduce rigidity
- Improve aerobic capacity
- Improve mood
- Improve cognitive function
- Increase joy and social connections
- Decrease UPDRS scores (Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale)
Plus, it’s a great way to have fun with your friends.
If you’re interested in learning more about how cycling has helped people with Parkinson’s live well, these resources are a great place to start.
Posts & Podcasts
October 2021 – How to Exercise to Get Results from Parkinson’s Exercise Programs
September 2021 – Cycling and Parkinson’s: The Long Climb Back from COVID-19
April 2021 – 2018 Davis Phinney Foundation-funded Research Study Pushes the Pedals on Living Well with Parkinson’s Today
December 2020 – Davis Phinney Foundation Parkinson’s Research: Past and Future
September 2020 – What You Need to Know about Cycling with Parkinson’s
September 2020 – A Timeline of Jay Alberts’ Parkinson’s Research
September 2020 – What Cycling Options Do I Have When Balance and Space Are an Issue?
April 2019 – Stepping Out of the Research Lab and Spinning into Real Life
March 2019 – 8 Reasons to Use Your Bike as a Tool for Good
November 2018 – How to Exercise & Live Better with Parkinson’s with Dr. Jay Alberts
September 2018 – Pushing the Pedal on Research
May 2018 – Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about eBikes for People with Parkinson’s… and More
May 2018 – How an eBike Can Bring New Life to Your Life
June 2017 – How a Bicycle Ride Led to Groundbreaking Parkinson’s Research
May 2017 – Take a Sneak Peek into Current Parkinson’s Research
July 2016 – Exercise is Medicine for the Brain
Research in Progress Funded by the Davis Phinney Foundation
Community-Based Cycling Class for Slowing Disease Progression
Lead researchers: Dr. Anson Rosenfeldt and Dr. Jay Alberts
“SMART” Cycling Computerized Controller
Lead researcher: Dr. Angela Ridgel of Kent State University
Stories from Team DPF
Tour de Victory Rides through Boulder
Kevin Schmid on Why “Every Victory Counts”
Kristin Vannorsdel Rides for Her Mom
Moments of Victory – John Davis Rides Everesting
“I Rode the Rockies While Living Well with Parkinson’s”
Team DPF Member Jon Dittmer Rides the Parkinson’s Peloton
We’d Love to Know, What Role Does Cycling Play in Your Life?
If you have a moment, please let us know how or if cycling helps you live well with Parkinson’s by taking this very brief survey.
