Everybody Health & Leisure has launched a dedicated group cycling classes for people living with Parkinson’s Disease.
The classes, at their Crewe Lifestyle Centre, include riding an indoor stationary bike, which has been shown to reduce Parkinson’s motor symptoms by as much as 35%.
The sessions start with a warm-up, followed by cycling with some resistance and finishing with a cool down.
Donna Williamson, Senior Health Innovation Manager at Everybody Health & Leisure said: “We are delighted to be awarded a grant from Parkinson’s UK to pilot a dedicated cycling therapy class for people living with Parkinson’s. Research shows that people with Parkinson’s experience significant benefits from pushing pedals on a regular basis and has been shown to improve overall motor function, reduce tremor, reduce rigidity and reduce slowness of movement. As the leading Health and Wellbeing Charity in Cheshire East it’s important we create innovative approaches to caring for people with Parkinson’s to be physically active and improve quality of life. Our dedicated class will provide a safe and friendly environment for people to exercise, backed by evidence.”
Research has shown people with Parkinson’s experience significant benefits from pushing bike pedals on a regular basis, including:
• Reduce bradykinesia
• Improve aerobic capacity
• Improve mood
• Improve cognitive function
• Increase joy and social connections
Tim Morton, Physical Activity Programme Manager at Parkinson’s UK, said: “We are delighted to be working with Everybody Health and Leisure to help more people living with Parkinson’s to enjoy an active lifestyle with the condition. Cycling is shown to have a significant positive impact on a person’s motor skills and can help to lift their mood too. We hope that more people will be able to take advantage of the new cycling programme and live well with the condition.”
Cycling is great fun and almost anyone can do it, with Everybody’s classes being tailored to each individual and cater for all needs and abilities. To find out more information visit, www.everybody.org.uk/bike-therapy-for-people-living-with-parkinsons/.
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