If exercise and boxing is the most powerful single act that slows down progression of PD why did Mohamed Ali had it so bad like some years ago. Surely continuing the extreme fitness training demanded of him when he was a top level boxer would have come more naturally to him than anyone else and this should have helped him in his later years.
If he wasn't helped with exercise and particularly boxing would anyone? Does RSB or similar programmes work?
Or is everyone with PD doomed to have it so bad in their later years?
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Grumpy77
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My understanding was that it was all the powerful blows to his head DURING boxing that exacerbated his Parkinson's. Luckily that's not part of Rock Steady Boxing some members participate in. LOL! livescience.com/54986-muham...
Don't forget that Muhamed Ali was young onset and lived with PD for 30+ years. Also, his fight boxing may have caused some additional damage (which boxing as an exercise should not).
Exercise for PD needs to specific for the problems of PD. See 'Neuro- plasticity'.
Ali was punched in the head, hard, several thousand times while he was a highly trained athlete. Exercise won't provide immunity from years of repeated head trauma. Some MMA fighters now have PD.
Here is an article that may help answer your questions. I started RSB in Oct 2006 and my PD has been slow to progress and very little increase in meds. I have been around long enough to actually see hundreds of PwP's workout at RSB and their symptoms have improved or stayed the same. Very few have gotten worse. If you give 110% and stick with it, you will see improvement. It's easy to stick with it because the coaches make it fun and all the boxers have PD so they help each other out and can relate to how each other are feeling. Most of the time we're smiling and having fun, which you don't see that too often from PwP's. And age or level doesn't matter, they accommodate all.
the 'evidence' for excersize is patchy and subjective .. imo , it will not delay the disease , however , it will keep us healthy for longer which has a similar impact
I don't know the official PD stats amongst former boxers compared to the rest of the population. But anecdotally it hasn't been higher than the rest of the population - even though Ali's PD had always made the headlines
So anecdotally Ali seem to be an exception. Or can anyone name any other former boxer with PD?
But the other main point is that his boxing during his active years (winning a duel) would be different from his boxing (and exercise) after PD (to keep fit and reverse symptoms).
It's this 2 observations (statistical anomaly and the seemingly non effect of his positive boxing after retirement) that promts the question
When Mohamed Ali was boxing he was being knocked about by those nasty people who wanted to fight him. In RSB nobody hits you. I don't do it but I know it works.
I recommend all serious exercise programs and RSB is just that. I don't know that RSB will produce GDNF like fast walking does, but it certainly will get you fitter and this better.
It seems like with everything there have to be a balance, because too much of a good thing can eventually hurt you.
When in my teens, my friend and I started running every morning and after a few days I noticed small symmetrical bruises appearing on my thighs with no apparent injuries. My mother who was a physician suggested to stop running and sure enough, there were no more new bruises. However, when I resumed running, they appeared again which she attributed to some hormone imbalances running was creating, however, my friend had no problems whatsoever. So, I learned that it is all very individual.
Obviously exercise has many positive effects on different systems of human body, however it also creates oxidative stress which can be counteracted only to a certain degree and overexercising can do more harm than good, see link:
RSB is a non-contact exercise regimen. Nobody takes a hit to the head or body. The PWP can wail away on the life-sized silcone dummies, affectionately named "Parkie. (Very satisfying!) Or, on the big bags and speed bags. But they take no blows themselves. They can also spar with trainers who wear mitts to catch the punches, but they do not exchange blows. PWPs are the hitters, but never the hittees. The majority of the time spent in each session is devoted to training regimen, rather than throwing punches.
I was lucky (no, blessed!) to have been part of the very first RSB gym, where it all started, and can attest to its amazing results for myself, and so many others. I currently live outside a three hour drive of an RSB, but I know the routines and my limitations, so I've been doing what I can in a regular gym for the past 6 years. Not the same, but it sure beats going down without a fight.
Will definitely be doing the fast walking, John Pepper! You're an inspiration. Your generosity of spirit in sharing your experiences and research is a big reason I decided to sign up here.
You are absolutely right about John Pepper who gave a very inspiring talk that I attended in Auckland NZ a couple of years ago. His generosity of spirit and willingness to travel the globe at his own expense to assist fellow sufferers marks him as one of the great philanthropists of our time. He should be given a knighthood. I have enormous respect for him. Even though I don't do his fast walking routine I totally accept that it has huge benefits for a lot of people.
I too started walking because of John Pepper who always answered my emails promptly. Thank you John for caring about the rest of us long after you improved. You could have just gone on your merry way but have spent your life trying to help those who continue to suffer from this difficult disease. You are a good man and a true gentleman. You’ve also often put up with unkind remarks but have continued to be a strong presence on HU and I thank you for your encouragement , wisdom, and support. People would be wise to listen to you!
It’s just my thought but in addition to the blows Mohamed Ali received over and over again which may have hastened his disease I think boxing helps many pwp because it’s mentally challenging, forging new pathways for our brains. I think he knew boxing so well for him it would probably need to be something different , perhaps ballroom dancing?!? 😊
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