Cycling may help SCA :)

[sunvox]

So anyone who reads my posts knows I'm a huge fan of running on a treadmill, and I am often asked if using a treadmill is the only type of exercise with evidence of efficacy. Well I'm excited to share a tiny study I found that showed that cycling helped people with SCA regain some lost coordination.

Cycling regimen induces spinal circuitry plasticity and improves leg muscle coordination in individuals with spinocerebellar ataxia.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/256...

In the study, the participants were asked to do 15 minutes minimum and the study detected a slight benefit from doing more exercise rather than less. So . . . all you home cyclists should keep it up because now you have scientific evidence cycling can be beneficial to people with SCA

Unfortunately they set the resistance level based on fancy equipment not available to the average person, but I think using a heart rate target might be even better.

Joe in NY

P.S. I bought the PDF if anyone wants a copy just send me a PM with your email, but there isn't a whole lot to the study that wasn't stated in the abstract.

[pinjem]

I bought a ' magnetic bike turbo trainer' which my usual bicycle fits onto. It was about £50 +, cannot remember exact name or price. It proved useful when unable to go for a walk with my trionic veloped, and in bitter weather. I found it was Ok exercise (no, don't like static cycling!) and kept muscle tone, strengthening the legs and probably the heart. My view is, 2 mins twice a day is better than nothing. In terms of balance, no, it does not help, walking does. A combination of exercise is probably best for me. I have only heard bad reports about those little floor standing pedalling devices but again, any exercise is better than none. Written as info for anyone interested. Note- I had to ask someone to fix bicycle to the stand for me, and it would be used more in the house than the garage!

[_ada]

I am happy that you found that article because I cycle a lot at home I have a stationary bike and I love how it strengthen my legs. But I agree with Pinjem, it does not help with balance - so it is the best to combine workout types.

Sending you PM with my e-mail in a minute, I want to read it

[foffee11]

Great for leg muscle aches at night too

[wil_ka]

Hooray!!

[kuchee]

Its great to hear about cycling research stuff. Could you please share the PDF, i would like to read it.

sending you PM shortly.

[Pekingese2]

Hi sunvox hope your ok. Would like to ask if you get tremours and what helps Dave started to get them and it’s always Worse of an evening He has sca unknown from 2006 he’s 65 xx