It’s hard to beat the feeling of cycling on a hot summer’s day, with the sun beating down and fresh air filling your lungs. However, generic bikes aren’t accessible to everyone, especially for the estimated 275,000 UK citizens living with Parkinson’s or MS.
A common symptom of both is the feeling of unsteadiness. The third wheel on a tricycle provides more stability and support to those who need it, So they feel more secure, supported, and most importantly, happy, whilst cycling.
How does exercising help?
Exercise is a vital component in maintaining your body’s ability to function, by helping to build muscle strength, flexibility, endurance, and improve physical and mental health. Poor mental health plays a key role in the decline in the life of an individual who lives with either Parkinson’s or MS. The reason for this is, they adopt a more negative outlook on life, and succumb to their diagnosis. Regularly exercising is a brilliant way to combat this as it releases dopamine, commonly known as ‘the happy hormone’. Dopamine works on a motivation, reward, reinforcement system.
In short, you exercise to better your physical appearance and quality of life, you finish exercising and feel great because you know there’s a reward to come and eventually you begin enjoying exercising as it releases a rush of Dopamine, increasing your happiness levels.
How can tricycles help people living with Parkinson’s and MS?
As the name suggests, disabled trikes or tricycles, have three wheels rather than the usual two wheels on a bike. With two wheels at the rear and one in the front, the tricycle covers a greater surface area, providing more stability and better control for the rider. This is of great benefit to those living with either Parkinson’s or MS, who are likely to be suffering from poor stability and balance.
Using a tricycle is greatly encouraged to those living with either MS or Parkinson’s to ensure they’re getting the exercise they need, whilst supporting them with extra stability and balance. Of course, take into account your ability and always remember to speak to your doctor prior to undertaking any strenuous exercise.
A study by Parkinsons.org evidenced that increasing your physical activity for at least 2 to 2.5 hours per week will reduce your quality of life decline, compared to those who exercised on a less frequent basis.
