Rapid Cadence Cycling for Parkinson's Disease: A Study of Implementation and Efficacy in the Community Setting

Inclusion criteria

• Adults age 18 or older.
• Clinically confirmed diagnosis of idiopathic PD by a movement disorder specialist.
• Hoehn and Yahr stage I-III while ON anti-parkinsonian medication.
• Stable or absent MAO-B inhibitors (Selegiline, Rasagiline, Zydis selegiline HCL Oral disintegrating) for at least 60 days prior to enrollment; stable or absent other medications for PD motor symptoms (Levodopa, Dopamine agonists, Anticholinergics, Amantadine, COMT-Inhibitors) for at least 30 days prior to enrollment; stable or absent medications for the following PD-non-motor symptoms: depression, anxiety, cognition, sleep, orthostatic hypotension.
• Agreement to defer any medication changes until after completion of 8-week program and post-test measurements.
• Written permission by a physician to participate in the program.
• English language proficiency sufficient to understand and participate in a cycling class taught in English.

Exclusion criteria

• Clinically significant medical disease that would increase the risk of exercise-related complications (eg: cardiac or pulmonary disease, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, uncontrolled hypertension or stroke) as determined by a treating physician through letter obtained by YMCA or the study investigator.
• Dementia as evidenced by a score of less than 116 on the Mattis Dementia Rating Scale or dementia in the opinion of the study investigator that would prohibit subject from complying with all study activities.
• Other medical or musculoskeletal contraindication to exercise.
• Concurrent participation in another trial of exercise therapy for PD or initiation of a new structured exercise plan during the duration of the study. Note: participants may continue any pre-existing exercise routine (including group-based classes) during the study but will be asked not to start anything new.