27 hours ago July 20, 2009 -- Neuroscientist Jay Alberts is an avid cyclist, but he never expected to make any medical discoveries on his bike. He did just that on a 50-mile ride across Iowa with his tandem ... >> Go To The Portal
This led to Dr. Alberts’ wondering whether exercise, specifically cycling, helped improve function in a person living with Parkinson’s. This discovery served as the inspiration for a groundbreaking research study by Dr. Alberts and movement disorder neurologist, Dr. Bas Bloem, Radboud University.
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. Plus, it’s a great way to have fun with your friends.
In 2003 Jay Alberts, PhD, Cleveland Clinic, was riding RAGBRAI on a tandem bicycle with Cathy, a person with Parkinson’s. After they had been riding together for a few days, he noticed a significant improvement in her physical abilities, most notably her handwriting.
“The best evidence for slowing the progression of Parkinson’s is exercise,” says Dr. Benzi Kluger, MD, University of Colorado. Start today by increasing your activity level doing an activity that you enjoy whether it be cycling, playing with your grandchildren or trying out a new wellness class.
In 2003 Jay Alberts, PhD, Cleveland Clinic, was riding RAGBRAI on a tandem bicycle with Cathy, a person with Parkinson’s. After they had been riding together for a few days, he noticed a significant improvement in her physical abilities, most notably her handwriting. As Cathy wrote postcards to her family from across Iowa, Dr. Alberts observed that her handwriting became more controlled and legible. This led to Dr. Alberts’ wondering whether exercise, specifically cycling, helped improve function in a person living with Parkinson’s.
This year, the Davis Phinney Foundation joined Dr. Alberts and the Pedaling for Parkinson’s team at RAGBRAI for this 411-mile ride in an effort to raise Parkinson’s awareness and funds to support the Davis Phinney Foundation’s research and programs.
Funded by the Davis Phinney Foundation, the outcome of this research completely reversed the common practice of prescribing rest for Parkinson’s. Doctors now routinely prescribe physical activity as part of Parkinson’s therapy, leading to a much higher quality of life.
Diane Sawyer did a recent "special report" about the ubiquity of items "made in China."
In January 2022, Facebook posts describing a Diane Sawyer “special report” about items “made in China” circulated on social media, either in copied and pasted posts or screenshots: