When we ride our bikes, our brains also increase their production of proteins used for creating new brain cells.
~Carmen Ferreira
Tere is not one neurological disease that cannot benefit from aerobic exercise, from Parkinson’s disease to Lou Gehrig’s disease,” says Laurence Kinsella, M.D., a neurologist at the SSM Health Medical Group, in Fenton, Missouri. According to 2017 Canadian studies involving Parkinson’s
patients, cycling improved motor function during a 12-week pe- riod. Te results, published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, also show a marked improvement in gait. Promising 2018 research published in the Journal of the
American Geriatrics Society reveals cycling and other forms of aerobic exercise to be the most effective activity in slowing Alzheimer’s-related cognitive decline.
Build Stress Resistance In general, living a sedentary life sets up a hair-trigger stress response in the body, while forms of exercise like cycling help to regulate excessive levels of age-accelerating stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline. Kinsella says, “Exercise like cycling makes us channel that part of the ancient brain that helped our ancestors run from a tiger, and when we engage the brain to run, chase or survive, the aging process slows down.” Cycling can also be beneficial for people with fibromyalgia.
Ferreira notes, “I have a few students with fibromyalgia who have reported having more energy, as well as better mood.”
Shorter Sessions, Better Results While cycling can be a memory booster, it can also temporar- ily impair cognitive function if sessions are too intense or long. Kinsella recommends that his students work up to 75 percent of maximum heart rate. He also emphasizes common sense. “Strive for a reasonable pace, and by that, I mean ramping up your heart rate gradually over three weeks. Go slowly with beginning any vigorous exercise and accept that it will take months.” For Alzheimer’s patients, he recommends breaking a sweat with five, 30-minute sessions a week. Ferreira also advises moderation. “Do as much as your body
allows—15, 20 or 45 minutes, the latter being the duration of a full-length class. Have clear communication with the instructor to help you reach your goals.” Whether objectives are accomplished on an outdoor
or stationary bike, it is important to be consistent. Kinsella suggests making it enjoyable. “You can get on your bike and watch your favorite television show for 30 minutes or more and get a good workout.”
Marlaina Donato is the author of Multidimensional Aromatherapy and several other books. She is also a composer. Connect at
AutumnEmbersMusic.com.
August 2019 21
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