YMCA Strengthens Monmouth County with Pedaling for Parkinson’s Program

Group of people pedaling at YMCA

Did you know that YMCA is one of the top five recognized brands? Did you know that basketball and volleyball was invented at the YMCA? Or, the mere idea of group exercise was also born at the Y? In fact, without the YMCA, Father’s Day and the Boy Scouts wouldn’t have had the start they did. The Community YMCA has a big footprint in Red Bank and has been recognized by the Monmouth County community for 145 years. Most people think of the Y as a place to take a swim lesson, play basketball, get on a treadmill and yes, you can do all that but you can do so much more. For the past decade, The Community YMCA is committed to strengthening the foundations of our community through initiatives and partnerships that encourage the positive development of our youth, encourage healthier lifestyles, and promote social responsibility for all ages. They also have over 350 programs to offer our community. After speaking with YMCA President and CEO Laurie Goganzer about all these programs, I began to wonder what the world would be like without the Y. Goganzer said, “The purpose of the Y is to exist to strengthen the community.” Because a BIG part of The Community YMCA’s mission is social responsibility, it cares about the things the community struggles with, like the incidence of suicide and the increase in local opioid and drug abuse. They also have programs around diabetes prevention, a cancer program called Livestrong, and a newer program that I think most people didn’t know about called Pedaling for Parkinson’s disease. What is Pedaling for Parkinson’s? It is a program that has brought a feeling of hope for those suffering from the disease. Pedaling for Parkinson’s is held at many YMCA’s across the country, and started in Red Bank under instructor Polli Schildge in October of 2018. Schildge says, “As a cyclist and certified Spinning instructor, when I saw the videos How a Bicycle Ride Led to Groundbreaking Parkinson’s Research and Cycling for Freezing Gait in Parkinson’s Disease and learned of the amazing effects of cycling and Parkinson’s patients (particularly fast cadence), I did more research. I got a certification (accredited by ACE American Council on Exercise) and then reached out to The Community YMCA in Red Bank. There are three dedicated participants and they are awesome. Mike had experience riding a road bike in a group, and he’s very strong. He’s learning to pace himself to maintain 92rpms longer.  The other two women, Beth and Carol, have never been on a road bike and are completely new to being on a spin bike. They have all become able to maintain high cadence for a longer time, and are feeling strong and confident. We have a lot of fun together with motivating music, and a variety of intervals. I’m enormously proud of them. It’s quite incredible to see the progress – it’s definitely not easy, even challenging for an individual unaffected by Parkinson’s.” The members also understand now that they can maintain high cadence and adjust the resistance to make the most out of every ride, and find their individual challenge.

Dean Seda, director of Healthy Living at (top right) the Red Bank Family YMCA (top left) and instructor Polli Schildge review progress of the Y’s Pedaling for Parkinson’s program with participants Carol Shulte, Michael Toscano and Elizabeth Carr.

An enthusiastic member of the class, Elizabeth Carr said, “I look forward to Tuesdays and Thursdays. Not only do I enjoy the class, but I get more out of it than any other activity I’ve been in as far as helping with Parkinson’s and movement.” Michael Toscano, another YMCA pedaling for Parkinson’s class member said the program has helped him overcome depression, make new friends, and “keeping Parkinson’s at bay.” People may not realize but anxiety and depression are the less known symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. For these participants, cycling can slow down or stop the progression of the disease, which is something medicine can’t do. Neuroscientist Jay Alberts, Ph.D. from the Cleveland Clinic, says it can increase the proteins of the brain that help movement and cognitive function. Dr. Alberts’ research is aimed at understanding the structure-function relationships within the central nervous system that underlie skilled upper extremity motor performance and determine the impact of behavioral and surgical interventions to improve motor function in Parkinson’s disease patients. In terms of exercise and Parkinson’s disease, Dr. Alberts has developed an intervention designed to augment the voluntary efforts of patients with the disease. He and his group are the first to demonstrate that any type of behavioral intervention can alter central motor control processes in Parkinson’s patients. The best news for locals- it is available to our community at the Y in Red Bank. For more information about this program, email Health and Wellness Director Dean Seda at dseda@cymca.org and visit cymca.org/pedaling-parkinsons. You can also call the Community YMCA of Red Bank at 732.741.2504 x 219. The Community YMCA also offers these programs: LIVESTRONG at the YMCA The Red Bank Family YMCA offers the Y’s national LIVESTRONG program for cancer survivors including anyone who has had surgery, chemo or radiation-related to cancer. LIVESTRONG at the YMCA is free twelve-week, small group exercise programs designed for cancer survivors 18 years and older that want to regain their health after having become de-conditioned and fatigued from treatment. Program participants must receive medical clearance to participate. For more information on participating in the LIVESTRONG at The YMCA, call 732.741.2504, ext. 210 or email livestrong@cymca.org. Traumatic Loss Coalition The Community YMCA Counseling & Social Services team coordinates the Traumatic Loss Coalition in Monmouth County, a statewide youth suicide prevention and traumatic loss postvention program. The program brings together school personnel, mental health clinicians, juvenile justice personnel, law enforcement officials, social service agencies, child welfare workers and many others who work with youth and teens. In the event of a suicide or any traumatic death of a child or school personnel, the coalition directs a response team to assist the school community and promote healing and resiliency. The coalition also works with local schools and organizations to prevent suicide. For more information, email: outpatient@cymca.org or visit the blog at cymca.org/healing-community/. ________________ Check this article out in our digital editions: Zone 1: (Colts Neck, Holmdel, Lincroft) – click here. Zone 2 (Rumson, Fair Haven, Little Silver, Red Bank, Locust, Sea Bright) – click here.