Boxing as exercise in Parkinson's

[Headache58]

would anyone offer support in the theory that Boxing helps with reduction in tremors and any other symptoms

thanks

[dadcor]

Sure it does! Noncontact boxing helps me a lot since years. Just to emphasize it does not replace proper medication, other practices, diets and all that. All things you do, should go together in a strict schedules and regimen ..

[Headache58 in reply to dadcor]

Many thanks, have not started medication as yet as I am feeling ok and apart from tremors nothing else is bothering me

[dadcor in reply to Headache58]

Great, than start intensive boxing training immediately If your coach is good, you will be amazed by the effect!

[Headache58 in reply to dadcor]

Am on it

[laglag]

I've been going to Rock Steady Boxing (RSB) for 15.5 years and it has been a tremendous help in slowing the progress. You might not have other symptoms but they will slowly creep on you unless you start preparing for it now. As far as tremors, more than likely it won't completely go away but RSB will help calm it down. I only have a tremor during my off times & the shakiness varies depending how stressed I am. There are different levels of classes and I'm still in the advanced class. The class for wheelchairs & walkers is a very good class also. I have witnessed people giving up many of their walkers and wheelchairs. Below is the website with my and others testimonials...

rocksteadyboxing.org/parkin...

[Headache58 in reply to laglag]

Thanks, no local class near me but am going to speak to a club and see what they can do

[laglag in reply to Headache58]

Great idea. There's been several people do that. 🥊

[dadcor]

Just to make it clear. I am talking real boxing training, but not RSB. Just avoid real sparing contact. Do not want to offend anybody, but RSB for me is a funny fabrication.. No spirit in it..

[laglag in reply to dadcor]

Have you ever been to a class? I don't want to offend anyone either, but it works and it has a ton of spirit and I guarantee it works. A "funny fabrication"? I'm not offended, I just can't believe you think that! 🥊🥊

[dadcor in reply to laglag]

Ok peace, let it be..

[Tribselyov in reply to dadcor]

Try virtual reality with Oculus. A real simulation with “virtual” contact

[dadcor in reply to Tribselyov]

Good idea. Will do.. Thanks!

[JohnPepper]

We Parkies are able to box because we use our conscious brain to control our movements. Pd only affects movements that are controled by the subconscious brain. Therefore, we should look for all moveents that are controlled by the CONSCIOUS BRAIN! Walking is the easiest and cheapest movement that CAN BE CONTROLLED by the CONSCIOS BRAIN!

How can we consciously walk? That is easy. If you stand erect with your legs together and CONSCIOIUSLY PLACE ALL YOUR WEIGHT ON YOUR LEFT FOOT and then lift your right leg uop as far as you can, in front of you, then you are doing that consciously.

Because you have always walked subconsciously, does not mean you cannot now, do it consciously. You should now walk by consciously placing all your weight on one leg and then moveing the other leg forward,. Then carry on consciously moving each leg and you are walking.

The Mayo Clinic Study on 'High Intensity Aerobic Exercise', which produces a substance called GDNF, which repairs the brain cells that are damaged by Pd. That means your brain produces more dopamine and therefore your Pd symptoms get better.

Fast Walking is the easiest Hight Intensity Aerobic Exercise. It has been proven that if you walk as fast as you can for up to 1 hour, every second day, you will get better and better.

It toook me 4 years of doing Fast Walking before I was free of many of my movement problems. That was in 2002.

I have not needed to take any Pd medication since then and I am still, at the age of 87, table o move normally. OK, I battle to get up and down out of a chair, but I need to do exercise to overcome that. I hate exercise, but fast walkng has overcome my Pd and I do it every second day, except when I have other health problems that prevent me from walking.

TRY IT, IT REALLY WORKS!

[Sane1]

I joined a local RSB group shortly after my diagnosis about 7 years ago. My symptoms then were minimal an occasional slight tremor in one hand. The class did non- contact boxing using focus mits, heavy and speed bag work. However ( at least in the class I attended) we also focused on stretching exercises so important for the stiffness in PWP. We worked on balance, fine motor skills, cognition, coordination, strength and core training and aerobics. I wouldn’t know where to start about the comradeship of the group. My PD did not seem to progress in these years. Sadly my RSB facility had to close about 6 months ago. Another PD Boxing group took over. They were private sessions therefore focusing more on what they determined your needs are. Some focus mitt and speed bag work and lots of work on balance. This new group is good at what they do, but I feel That the RSB classes gave me so much more. Since stopping RSB my body has been stiff and sore, my posture worse, my balance off and my mind scattered.

Coincidence? Maybe. I have started to incorporate some of RSB moves on my own at home and am hoping to reverse some of the issues.

For me RSB worked. Good luck in whatever you decide.

[laglag in reply to Sane1]

Good reply. I definitely notice a difference in my movement and stiffness if I miss a few days. Your exactly correct about the commradarie, it's hard to put it in words. We're like family, or maybe better than family. Everyone basically knows what others are feeling and can talk about things that help and/or hurt. They can empathize.

I'm really sorry your RSB closed. You might call the headquarters in Indianapolis and tell them what happened and see if they know of anyone that might be opening one near you.

Keep fighting!🥊

[DachshundFan]

Rock Steady Boxing has been great for me. I feel camaraderie with the other PwPs and the amazing people who volunteer to help. The two \weekly sessions are great. I also have a trainer for two weekly sessions and two Zoom workouts with a Parkinson's Group.

I have given blood and done MRIs while solving brain puzzles. I tried Mindful Medication for research projects. I have filled out the Fox Foundation quarterly form thirty times and the Brain Health Registry's update twice a year.

I'm taking Rytary.

My wife dropped by my last RSB class. She told me she was amazed by my dedication and effort. It helps that I score a perfect thirty out of thirty on a memory test with my neurologist two weeks ago. They start by asking me to draw a clock, they start by asking me to remember five words out of a list. You do other things, and they ask me to recite the numbers again. I used to hate this test because I had trouble remembering the words. I did better with remembering numbers, but never perfect! The RSB class gets a chunk of credit from me.

[laglag in reply to DachshundFan]

🥊 Good for you! I love RSB. I've been a member since January 2007. 🥊

[DopamineWarrior]

Hello All,

When I was diagnosed one of the first things my consultant said was do lots of exercise and in particular boxing obviously non-contact, I think this was the best news I received on the day after the initial shock of being told I had PD.

I was diagnosed in June 2021, I have always been active, aged 53, I have taught martial arts for over 35yrs, stopped teaching in year I got diagnosed as i wanted to focus more on my diagnosis and making others aware of the condition, having raised money for multiple charities by doing bike rides, London marathons, trekking, I decided to climb Mount Kilimanjaro which I did alongside my daughter the 16/10/22 raising just under 11K.

I have also appeared on the National tv advert ‘We are Undefeatable’

I had joined my local Parkinson’s group, a month or so after I was diagnosed .

I decided that I will start teaching voluntary boxing lessons, it’s been two weeks and I have already noticed the affectivness when using your mind to stop and think before making movements how different techniques and balance are affected.

Exercising very important no matter which exercise you do a walk run swimming etc, boxing has its benefits like others have explained above, socialising meeting others being happy very important.

If you are interested in any further information please do PM me.

Thank you 🙏🏽