NON CONTACT BOXING EXERCISE CAN IMPROVE COGNITION, DEPRESSION, FATIGUE and SLEEP
Discovered Non-Contact Boxing
Mary is a 73-year-old who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease a few years ago. She has always been an active person, but her symptoms were getting in the way of her daily activities, and she was feeling frustrated and hopeless. One day, she read an article about boxing training being beneficial for people with Parkinson’s disease, and she decided to give it a try.
Mary found a local gym that offered non-contact boxing training for people with Parkinson’s disease, and she signed up for a 12-week program. At first, she was nervous and unsure if she could do it, but she quickly discovered that the trainers were supportive and understanding of her condition.
Benefits of Boxing
Over the course of the program, Mary noticed significant improvements in her balance, coordination, and strength. Her tremors and stiffness also decreased, and she felt more confident in her ability to perform daily activities. She enjoyed the social aspect of the training, as well as the feeling of empowerment that came with learning a new skill.
Mary’s experience is supported by several studies on non-contact boxing training for people with Parkinson’s disease.
- One study published in the American College of Sports Medicine in 2011 found that people who participated in a boxing training program had significantly better scores on measures of motor function and quality of life compared to a control group.
- Another study published in the Journal of Parkinson’s Disease in 2019 found that people who participated in a 12-week boxing program had improvements in balance, gait speed, and quality of life compared to a control group.
- A review article published in the Journal of Parkinson’s Disease in 2020 concluded that there is growing evidence to suggest that boxing training can improve motor function, balance, and quality of life in people with Parkinson’s disease.
It’s important to note that non-contact boxing training should be tailored to each individual’s needs and abilities and should be supervised by a qualified instructor. It’s also important to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new exercise program. However, for people like Mary, non-contact boxing training can provide a fun, empowering, and effective form of exercise that can improve their quality of life.
Sources & Links
What a 72-year-old grandmother with Parkinson’s learned when she took up boxing https://www.marketwatch.com/story/what-a-72-year-old-grandmother-with-parkinsons-learned-when-she-took-up-boxing-a02882ec?mod=home-page
Alberts, J. L., Linder, S. M., Penko, A. L., Lowe, M. J., & Phillips, M. (2011). https://www.researchgate.net/publication/51530832_It_Is_Not_About_the_Bike_It_Is_About_the_Pedaling_Forced_Exercise_and_Parkinson’s_Disease
Combs, S. A., Diehl, M. D., Staples, W. H., Conn, L., Davis, K., Lewis, N., … & Schaneman, K. (2017). https://content.iospress.com/articles/journal-of-parkinsons-disease/jpd191616
Everything to know about boxing for Parkinson’s. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/boxing-for-parkinsons#summary, Medically reviewed by Heidi Moawad, M.D. — By Beth Sissons on June 30, 2022
FIGHTING BACK AGAINST PARKINSON’S https://rocksteadyboxing.org/
Boxing for Parkinson’s Disease https://www.apdaparkinson.org/article/boxing-for-parkinsons-disease/
Effects Of Boxing Training on Cognitive And Physical Function In Patients With Parkinson’s Disease https://journals.lww.com/acsmmsse/Fulltext/2018/05001/Effects_Of_Boxing_Training_On_Cognitive_And.339.aspxTop of Form
