Module Objective:

• The Parkinson’s Cycling Program typically sees 3 types of riders and they can be loosely  categorized by levels:

1. Beginner – level #1
2. Transitional – Level #2
3. Athlete – Level #3

Level 1 rider
The Beginner or level 1 rider is usually a novice rider at the beginning of the program.

• He/She Requires assistance with seat and handlebar placement
• Requires assistance mounting and dismounting the bike
• Maintains a voluntary RPM unless coached to increase cadence
• Maintains a lower intensity heart rate unless coached to increase
• Continues a work interval of less than 3 minutes

This rider is typically one who is just beginning the Parkinson’s Cycling Program.  However, approximately 15% of riders who begin the Parkinson’s Cycling Program will not advance beyond this level, i.e they won’t be able to achieve the RPM or heart rate goals at the end of 12 weeks.  As coaches, your continued encouragement and support is paramount without regard for their individual results.

Any amount of physical exercise is valuable and your participants will benefit from the social interaction they will receive by just being part of your classes.

Level 2 rider
The Transitional level 2 rider has developed a level of comfort with your class and confidence in their ability. They can be identified by the following and will have been in the program for approximately 3-4 weeks.

• Able to set own seat and handlebar placement
• Able to mount and dismount with bike without assistance
• Can increase Rpm or cadence to required levels when instructed
• Can bring heart rate into appropriate training heart rate zones
• Can maintain work intervals 3-5 minutes when coached
• This rider is able to feel and see some symptom management changes.
• His/Her flexibility is improving.

Level 3 rider
The Athlete or Level 3 rider can easily participate in class and is seeing the results from their increases in cardiovascular fitness. Your “Athletes” will demonstrate a high degree of self-direction and will often offer to assist new people.

• Able to adjust seat and handlebar placement
• Able to mount and dismount the bike without assistance
• Achieves the 80-90 RPM or cadence without being coached
• Successfully uses the correct heart rate zone parameters during interval training
• Maintains work intervals 5-9 minutes when coached
• This rider is able to feel and see positive symptom management changes
• Flexibility is improving, everyday activities might become easier.
• They become advocates for your your program

It’s important to record changes to participants over time.

• You’ll be able to track their improvement over the course of the Parkinson’s Cycling Program. Not only will this be helpful to each participant, but it will reaffirm your efforts as the coach.
• Your substitute coach will quickly understand who needs additional attention.

This information is also helpful in grouping participants together with the same skills.
Or…
You may consider placing a Beginner (Level 1) rider with an Athlete (Level 3) for helpful peer encouragement.

After several class sessions, you should be getting to know each rider in your class and their level. It’s very common for someone with PD to experience good and bad days. Observing them as they enter the cycling room can reveal a lot of information to you, the coach.

If a rider comes into the room off balance and holding onto the wall and bike, the coach should always offer assistance to mount and dismount the bike even though that rider has consistently been a Transitional rider.

The coach should be more mindful of that rider’s abilities during that particular class. It might be necessary to curb the intensity of the intervals for that particular class. Record that information for review in the next class.

So be mindful of “pigeonholing” these riders in a level and then leaving them there. Moving up/down between levels can and does occur.

Sample post in your participant logbook:
Larry had a good day today. But when he came into the room, his balance was a little off. He was shuffling his feet. After he left the class, he was taking larger steps and balance was improved.

Continue to encourage eating a good breakfast, taking medications on time, and hydration before coming to class. Always, always, always, monitor individual intensity levels appropriately.