In Salt Lake City, Utah, more than one million people in the U.S. are living with Parkinson’s disease, a debilitating condition that has no cure and symptoms that tend to worsen over time. However, a new program has been developed using the power of spin cycling to help redefine the fight against Parkinson’s and make life more manageable for patients.
Lamont Dorrity, a 63-year-old man who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in his early 50s, experienced symptoms such as tremors and muscle stiffness. While deep brain stimulation surgery helped with his tremors, other symptoms were still progressing. About a year ago, Dorrity joined a research-backed program called “Pedaling for Parkinson’s.”
Led by exercise therapist Adam Ballenger, the program involves forced cycling at a high rate of at least 80 RPMs for at least 40 minutes. The exercise helps pump dopamine into the brain and has shown to improve Parkinson’s-related symptoms significantly. Participants like Dorrity have reported feeling more fluid in their movements and experiencing improvements in balance and confidence.
Some participants in the program have seen their Parkinson’s symptoms improve by up to 35 percent, showing the potential for slowing the progression of the disease. Despite the positive results, the program at Intermountain Health is currently on hold. Both Ballenger and Dorrity encourage more Parkinson’s patients to consider the benefits of pedaling for their condition.
The “Pedaling for Parkinson’s” program offers hope to millions of people living with this debilitating condition by providing an effective way to manage their symptoms through exercise therapy that utilizes spin cycling technology.
In conclusion, this innovative approach could provide an alternative treatment option for those living with Parkinson’s disease and help them lead healthier lives while managing their symptoms effectively. With further research and development of these programs, there may be hope for those struggling with this condition to find relief through exercise therapy backed by technology like spin cycling.
