Interval Active Assisted Cycling Improves Balance in Individuals with Parkinson's disease

To determine the effects of a four week interval active-assisted cycling program on balance in individuals with Parkinson's disease. Individuals were counterbalanced into two groups: a non-exercise control group and an exercise group. Participants in the exercise group completed 30 minutes of interval active-assisted high-rate cycling with 5 minutes of warm-up and cool-down, three times a week for four weeks. Balance was assessed by testing postural stability, Clinical Test of Sensory Integration of BalanceClinical Test of Sensory Integration of Balancefall risk and sensory integration of balance (m-CTSIB) using the Biodex Balance System SD. Repeated-measures ANOVA analysis demonstrated a significant (p = 0.025) improvement in postural stability in the exercise group (1.66 + or - 1.7 pre, 1.30 + or - 1.0 post). Although there was no significant change in fall risk (p = 0.371; 2.0 + or - 1.1 pre, 1.74 + or - 0.76 post) and m-CTSIB (p [< or =] 0.088; 1.11 + or - 0.51 pre, 0.86 + or - 0.41 post), there was improvement in both scores.