Parkinson’s patients find relief in pedaling

  • By Ashley Stewart Herald Writer
  • Monday, April 1, 2013 4:22pm
  • Life

The Mill Creek YMCA has a program that could help people with Parkinson’s disease lessen their symptoms.

Pedaling for Parkinson’s is a 12-week class that employs fast pedaling and high cadence on stationary bikes to improve motor function in Parkinson’s sufferers.

“Ideally, this is another way for Parkinson’s patients to have some support,” said Cindy Mascari, director of Mill Creek YMCA Health and Wellbeing.

“It’s a support group concept for both the patients and their caregivers.”

In a 2009 study, researchers at the Cleveland Clinic found that people with Parkinson’s disease who pedaled at a fast speed, optimally 80 to 90 revolutions per minute, for at least 40 minutes, three days a week showed a 35 percent improvement in motor function.

Parkinson’s disease is a brain disorder that causes tremors, slow movement, stiffness and impaired coordination. The chronic and progressive disorder occurs when the brain cells that produce the chemical dopamine — responsible for regulating movement — stop working effectively.

The program aims to work people up to a fast pedaling speed to reduce these symptoms and improve movement.

“We’re just looking for other ways to reach people who benefit from exercise,” Mascari said.

“I really was impressed with what I saw in the study, and to the think the Y could make an impact within that population just seemed the perfect fit for us.”

Registration is now open for the free, 12-week program, which runs Monday to June 28.

During one-hour classes three days a week, patients can ride one of 16 stationary bikes and gradually work up to the desired 80 to 90 rpm speed that has been shown to improve motor function.

Caregivers are welcome to ride alongside patients, and there is a tandem bike for people with Parkinson’s who need some extra help.

To register, Parkinson’s patients need to submit medical clearance and consent forms, available at the Y’s front desk or online at tinyurl.com/PedalingforParkinsons.

Parkinson’s patients must be 30 to 75 years old to join, without another medical condition that could respond poorly to exercise, including cardiac or pulmonary disease, uncontrolled hypertension or stroke, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus or dementia.

Registration is open throughout the program, but people are encouraged to join before it begins Monday.

For more information, contact Cindy Mascari at 425-357-3024 or email cmascari@ymca-snoco.org.

Ashley Stewart: 425-339-4947; astewart@heraldnet.com.

Pedaling for Parkinson’s

9 to 10 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, April 8 to June 28 at Mill Creek Family YMCA cycling studio, 13723 Puget Park Drive.

Daylong conference

The fourth annual Northwest Parkinson’s Foundation’s Wellness and Parkinson’s Conference, “Moving Towards Wellness: Tools for an Improved Quality of Life for the Parkinson’s Community.”

When: 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 4 at the Edward D. Hansen Conference Center, Comcast Arena, 2000 Hewitt Ave., Everett.

Presentations from movement disorder specialists and neuropsychologists.

Registration: $15, includes lunch.. Call 877-980-7500, email ruth@nwpf.org or visit www.nwpf.org.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Life

Emma Corbilla Doody and her husband, Don Doody, inside  their octagonal library at the center of their octagon home on Thursday, May 2, 2024 in Sultan, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Is this Sultan octagon the ugliest house in America?

Emma Corbilla Doody and Don Doody bought the home for $920,000 last year. Not long after, HGTV came calling.

Mickey Mouse and Buddha are among this bracelet’s 21 charms. But why?

This piece’s eclectic mix of charms must say something about its former owner. Regardless, it sold for $1,206 at auction.

Great Plant Pick: Pond cypress

What: This selection of pond cypress (Taxodium distichum var. imbricatum ‘Nutans’) is… Continue reading

From lilacs to peonies, pretty flowers make the perfect Mother’s Day gift

Carnations may be the official Mother’s Day flower, but many others will also make Mom smile. Here are a few bright ideas.

Maximum towing capacity of the 2024 Toyota Tundra Hybrid is 11,450 pounds, depending on 4x2 or 4x4, trim level, and bed length. The Platinum trim is shown here. (Toyota)
Toyota Tundra Hybrid powertrain overpowers the old V8 and new V6

Updates for the 2024 full-sized pickup include expansion of TRD Off-Road and Nightshade option packages.

2024 Ford Ranger SuperCrew 4X4 XLT (Photo provided by Ford)
2024 Ford Ranger SuperCrew 4X4 XLT

Trucks comes in all shapes and sizes these days. A flavor for… Continue reading

Modern-day Madrid is a pedestrian mecca filled with outdoor delights

In the evenings, walk the city’s car-free streets alongside the Madrileños. Then, spend your days exploring their parks.

Burnout is a slow burn. Keep your cool by snuffing out hotspots early

It’s important to recognize the symptoms before they take root. Fully formed, they can take the joy out of work and life.

Budget charges me a $125 cleaning fee for the wrong vehicle!

After Budget finds animal hairs in Bernard Sia’s rental car, it charges him a $125 cleaning fee. But Sia doesn’t have a pet.

Music, theater and more: What’s happening in Snohomish County

The Grand Kyiv Ballet performs Thursday in Arlington, and Elvis impersonators descend on Everett this Saturday.

Penny Clark, owner of Travel Time of Everett Inc., at her home office on Tuesday, April 23, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In a changing industry, travel agents ‘so busy’ navigating modern travel

While online travel tools are everywhere, travel advisers still prove useful — and popular, says Penny Clark, of Travel Time in Arlington.

An example of delftware, this decorative plate sports polychrome blooms

Delft is a type of tin-glazed earthenware pottery born in Holland. This 16th century English piece sold for $3,997 at auction.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.