---
title: Cycling Exercise in Rehabilitation to Improve Coordination and Normalize Muscle Tone
description: Cycling Exercise in Rehabilitation to Improve Coordination and Normalize Muscle Tone
image: https://blog.acplus.com/hubfs/Capture%20TOTM%201-2.png
---

- [Blog](https://acplus.com/blog/all/)
- [Contact Us](https://info.acplus.com/contact-us)

[![Home](https://blog.acplus.com/hubfs/ACP_June2018/Images/logo.svg)](http://acplus.com)

- [About](https://acplus.com/about/)
- [Clinical Programs](https://acplus.com/clinical-programs/)
- [Technology](https://acplus.com/technology/)
- [Education](https://acplus.com/education/)

# The Pulse

# Cycling Exercise in Rehabilitation to Improve Coordination and Normalize Muscle Tone

Posted by [ACP - Accelerated Care Plus](https://blog.acplus.com/author/acp-accelerated-care-plus) on Aug 27, 2020 12:25:57 AM

- [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share)

Physical and occupational therapists treat many individuals who present with impaired coordination, motor control, balance and tone. These individuals may have a wide range of diagnoses, from neurologically involved, such as cerebral vascular accident (CVA) and Parkinson’s disease, to orthopedic involvement such as post-total knee replacement (TKR). The common goal of improving functional mobility and outcomes may be achieved by the addition of research-supported cycling and biophysical agents.

**Coordination, balance, and gait:**

- Cycling improved ambulatory function in patients with stroke and may be used to improve walking ability. (Ofori et al., 2019)
- Stationary cycling exercise training is an effective intervention for increasing balance and gait abilities in chronic stroke patients. (Kim et al., 2015)
- A pedaling-based rehab program implemented two days after TKR for two weeks was superior to standard multi-exercise protocol in functional outcomes (6MWT, 10MWT, and TUG) and self-reported outcomes (Oxford Knee Score and EQ-5D). (Sattler et al., 2019)

**Normalizing tone:**

- Cycling with functional electrical stimulation using interval timing has positive effects on spasticity and range of motion in post stroke patients. (Shariat et al., 2019)
- Patients approximately two years post-stroke trained on an arm ergometer decreased spasticity, increased force, and range of motion. (Diserens et al., 2007)
- High-cadence cycling for individuals with Parkinson’s disease showed acute and sustained improvements in motor function and mobility. (Ridgel & Ault, 2019)

**Improving Coordination, Balance, and Gait Using the OmniCycle®:** interactive biofeedback exercises (symmetry bar, road, traffic jam, porcupine, and soccer) to address right and left coordination, speed, and control which may improve balance and gait.

![row 1 graphics for blog](https://blog.acplus.com/hs-fs/hubfs/row%201%20graphics%20for%20blog.png?width=1474&name=row%201%20graphics%20for%20blog.png)

**Tone Reduction using the OmniCycle®:** interactive biofeedback exercise with bar graph, interval training, high cadence cycling, and cycling with or without patterned electrical neuromuscular stimulation (PENS) may assist in tone reduction.

![row 2 graphics for blog](https://blog.acplus.com/hs-fs/hubfs/row%202%20graphics%20for%20blog.png?width=1492&name=row%202%20graphics%20for%20blog.png)

**For specific instructions regarding how to use these protocols with your patients, please contact your CPC or Remote Clinical Services at 800-350-1100, option 2.**

**References:**  
Diserens, K., Perret, N., Chatelain, S., Bashir, S., Ruegg, D., Vuadens, P., & Vingerhoets, F. (2007). Journal of Neurological Sciences, 253, 18-24. http://doi.org.10.1016/j.jns.2006.10.021  
Kim, S. J., Cho, H. Y., Kim, Y. L., & Lee, S.M. (2015). Effects of stationary cycling exercise on the balance and gait abilities of chronic stroke patients. Journal of Physical Therapy Science, 27(11), 3529-3531.  
http://doi.org/10.1589/jpts.27.3529  
Ofori, E. K., Frimpong, E., Ademiluyi, A., & Olawale, O. A. (2019). Ergometer cycling improves the ambulatory function and cardiovascular fitness of stroke patients-a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Physical  
Therapy Science, 31, 21-216. http://doi.org/10.1589/jpts.28.211  
Rigel, A. L., 7 Ault, D. L. (2019). High-Cadence Cycling Promotes Sustained Improvements in Bradykinesia, Rigidity, and Mobility in Individuals with Mild-Moderate Parkinson’s Disease. Parkinson’s Disease,  
http://doi.org/10.1155/2019/4076862  
Sattler, L.N., Hing, W. A., Vertullo, C. J. (2019). Pedaling-Based Protocol Superior to a 10-Exercise, Non-Pedaling Protocol for Postoperative Rehabilitation After Total Knee Replacement: A Randomized Controlled Trial.  
Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, 101, 688-695. http://dx.doi.org/10.2106/JBJS.18.00898  
Shariat, A., Ansari, N. N., Honarpishe, R., Moradi, V.,Hakakzadeh, A., Cleland, J. A., &Kordi, R. (2019). Effect of cycling and functional electrical stimulation with linear and interval patterns of timing on gait parameters  
in patients after stroke: a randomized controlled trial. Disability and Rehabilitation, http://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2019.1685600

 Topics: [Clinical Tip](https://blog.acplus.com/tag/clinical-tip), [Cardiopulmonary](https://blog.acplus.com/tag/cardiopulmonary), [Neuro Rehab](https://blog.acplus.com/tag/neuro-rehab)

## Neuro Rehab and Cardiopulmonary 

Learn more about how our Neuro Rehab and Cardiopulmonary Programs can help you help your patients get Better, Faster!

[ACP Clinical Programs](https://acplus.com/clinical-programs-overview)

### Subscribe Here!

### Recent Posts

### Posts by Tag

- [Patient Success Story (75)](https://blog.acplus.com/tag/patient-success-story)
- [Dysphagia (52)](https://blog.acplus.com/tag/dysphagia)
- [Clinical Tip (48)](https://blog.acplus.com/tag/clinical-tip)
- [Cardiopulmonary (36)](https://blog.acplus.com/tag/cardiopulmonary)
- [Fall Prevention & Balance (29)](https://blog.acplus.com/tag/fall-prevention-balance)
- [Pain Management (27)](https://blog.acplus.com/tag/pain-management)
- [Neuro Rehab (20)](https://blog.acplus.com/tag/neuro-rehab)
- [Speech Rehab (17)](https://blog.acplus.com/tag/speech-rehab)
- [SLP Clinical Connection (14)](https://blog.acplus.com/tag/slp-clinical-connection)
- [Employee Spotlight (10)](https://blog.acplus.com/tag/employee-spotlight)
- [Orthopedic (10)](https://blog.acplus.com/tag/orthopedic)
- [Continence Improvement (5)](https://blog.acplus.com/tag/continence-improvement)
- [Wound Management (4)](https://blog.acplus.com/tag/wound-management)
- [Industry News (3)](https://blog.acplus.com/tag/industry-news)
- [Clinical Connection (1)](https://blog.acplus.com/tag/clinical-connection)
- [OmniVersa (1)](https://blog.acplus.com/tag/omniversa)
- [PT/OT Clinical Connection (1)](https://blog.acplus.com/tag/pt-ot-clinical-connection)

See all

© 2023 Accelerated Care Plus Corporation - All Rights Reserved

- [![Facebook](https://blog.acplus.com/hubfs/ACP_June2018/Images/facebook-social-icon.png)](http://facebook.com/AcceleratedCarePlus)
- [![LinkedIn](https://blog.acplus.com/hubfs/ACP_June2018/Images/linkedin-social-icon.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/accelerated-care-plus/)
- [![Youtube](https://blog.acplus.com/hubfs/ACP_June2018/Images/youtube-social-icon.png)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQZA_Zq_wUmfdBCWZBxBRYA)

- [About Us](https://acplus.com/about/)
- [Terms of Use](https://acplus.com/terms-of-use/)
- [Privacy Policy](https://acplus.com/privacy-policy/)

© 2023 Accelerated Care Plus Corporation - All Rights Reserved