I have symptoms of EA that last for minutes to hours. Still waiting for the genetic result at the moment. I used to be a keen cyclist regularly clocking up >100 miles a week. Since my first episode last year I had not been back on my bike till yesterday. I feel a lot better these couple of months so I decided to give it a try. Maybe I am not as good as I used to be but in general I seemed fine on the bike. I had no dizziness when I am on the bike and felt pretty awesome. I only cycled 1.5 miles between my house and the station. However right after I get off my bike I became instantly dizzy with gait difficulty. I know EA can be triggered by exercise but it seems to be specific types of exercise. I also swim regularly (45min non-stop) but never had an episode from swimming. I wonder if anyone also experience something similar? Only specific type of exercise that makes ataxia worse? The funny thing is that I had no symptoms when on the bike but almost instantly felt a lot worse after getting off the bike. Very strange...I am not sure if cycling is a good thing since I had minimal symptoms when I am on the bike...
Types of exercise that induce ataxia (EA) - Ataxia UK
Types of exercise that induce ataxia (EA)
I have cerebellar ataxia and would recommend that you keep doing whatever exercises you are doing .your body will get used to your exercise.I still run though not as much ( I've done 4 Marathons about 20 1/2 Marathons etc ) now I run about 10 miles a week and go to the gym 3 times a week.I am 68 please remember that it how you deal with it NOT what it is. As someone else on this site said you might have ataxia but ataxia doesn't have you.
Hi
I used to go spinning. Can't do that now. Use a recumbent static bike in the house. Personally I wouldn't & couldn't go on the road. I usually do about 10 mins or just over. Perhaps you are pushing yourself too much? I do know if I overdo it i can feel worse.
As for swimming. I went for about 3 years. Loved it. Maybe this helps with coordination? It is non weight bearing too so maybe this is why you don't feel any I'll effects afterwards?
I do lots of exercise at home including stretching etc.
I have cerebellar ataxia. I've bought a bodyblade (look at Amazon and/or you tube) as vibration is meant to help.
Although my neurologists say exercise doesn't reverse problems we encounter it'll make us stronger mentally & physically which in turn helps us cope!
Kudos to you for staying active.🤗
Thanks! I've only just had the problems since last year so still a newbie on this. It's not so much that I'm trying to stay active (which is extremely important) but I'm trying to figure out when and why I have an episode. To my great surprise, motor skills such as cycling and swimming haven't been compromised that much, only walking seems to be the difficult one! But cycling has a strong after-effect which I'm still recovering from today. I don't think it's the amount of exercise that triggers symptoms but the types of exercise... If a neurologist can carry out more diverse tests, rather than the standard ones, they may discover new insights. just like the story in 2010 where doctors reported a guy with severe Parkinson was able to cycle proficiently, I thought that was incredible...btw that bodyblade looks like real fun!! I can imagine it might help somehow, perhaps just richer proprioceptive feedback.
Wow that is a lot of exercise! I don't think my body was ever built for strenuous exercise but I try to stay active for the the happy hormone endorphins 
Thanks for the encouragement I sure will keep it up. I'm just not sure if different types of exercise will make problems worse or better. Perhaps I will convert my bicycle into tricycle so it does not place too much demands on my cerebellum. It's just quite interesting since I find walking more difficult than most forms of exercise. I can run (haven't tried running long distance), bike, swim but cannot walk properly. Utterly counterintuitive. Brain functions never ceases to amaze me.
Only new to this site, but had to reply to this post. I too have Ataxia and can run and even sprint quite fast for short distances, mountain bike 10 miles without difficulty, but have difficulty walking and balancing afterwrards. The harder i go - the worse the after effects. Feel great while on the bike.
My walking is perfect first thing in the morning but deteriorates badly as the day progresses.
Yeah the exercise also triggers symptoms/episodes for me. The only exception is swimming. I can swim long distance without having an attack afterwards. I don't try to run/ cycle anymore. My beautiful bike now just sitting in the storage 😩 Still can't bring myself to sell it yet...
I'm the same really. My main objective is to keep going & moving my legs. I can hardly walk now but my trusty walker (rollator) helps me tremendously. I am always trying to train my brain & do lots of puzzles too. As you say the 'feel good ' factor - endorphins!
I'm not a doctor but maybe it's the muscles working overtime in the legs during cycling? that's why I don't do too much. my body tells me & I'm more tired the day after ! I don't' want to tire myself out! Counter productive! During swimming other muscles are used at the same time so maybe ur circulation & nerves are more stimulated? Just a thought. I'm no expert!
If u suffer with cramp try tonic water and bananas. Brill. I'm also eating lots of turmeric. a wonder spice! It's also gr8 for cramp too along with loads of other things. Google it unless you already know of course.!
It's strange that some forms of exercise hinder & others don't. I guess we're all different & what suits 1 person doesn't suit another?!
I've been suffering from ataxia quite a long time so I know what I can & can't do. The amount of exercise & energy expended can definitely have a negative effect. Our bodies are working overtime. 10 mins of cycling is probably more than double of a person without ataxia. any exercise is accelerated so I understand as we're trying to compensate & the nervous system isn't working correctly.
Do any of you have intermittent ataxia episodes that come on only after eating a meal?
The bitter reality of ataxia
