Patients with Parkinson's disease are helped by non-contact boxing. Other adults may benefit as well.
"Non-contact boxing" may seem contradictory because many people believe that boxing exclusively entails opponents fighting one another. However, this type of exercise—which involves throwing punches but not taking them—has found use well outside of the ring. Physical therapists now use boxing fitness to help people with Parkinson's disease deal with their symptoms.
Parkinson's is a degenerative neurological illness that results in uncontrollable, involuntary tremors or shaking. Parkinson's patients also struggle with additional physical problems such as muscle weakness and stiffness, poor balance and coordination, exhaustion, a hunched posture, and a sluggish stride.
According to Laurie Keating, a physical therapy assistant with the Harvard-affiliated Spaulding Rehabilitation Network who coaches Parkinson's patients in Rock Steady Boxing, "Non-contact boxing fitness has been shown to help many people with Parkinson's improve their balance, hand-eye coordination, mental focus, muscle strength, and body rhythm." But because older folks deal with many of the same physical and emotional issues as younger folks, boxing conditioning can also benefit them in the same way.
In this nook
A national programme called Rock Steady Boxing has close to 900 affiliates. Parkinson's patients are just one group served by boxing fitness, which has been steadily expanding over the past ten years. More than 5 million Americans will wear boxing gloves for fitness in 2021.
Punching bags and coaches' big boxing gloves are used during workouts. While class layouts might vary, the majority of them—including those provided by Rock Steady—involve a coach guiding you through a sequence of motions based on common boxing punches, including crosses, hooks, uppercuts, and jabs.
You could, for instance, punch in a pattern of jabs, crosses, jabs again, and two hooks for a predetermined amount of time. Other routines might have harder sequences, or they might just be repeating one or two punches quickly.
Put your gloves on.
There are various gyms, YMCAs, and specialty boxing clubs where you can find boxing fitness classes. Gloves are frequently included, or you can buy your own. Additionally, you learn how to wrap your hands and knuckles for added security. (Be sure to consult your doctor beforehand to ensure that boxing is a safe form of exercise for you since it combines both strength training and cardio.) If you're not sure if boxing is for you, check out a class. You will frequently feel more at ease after seeing how the class is organised, and you might even feel motivated by seeing students who are similar to you participate.
Overall advantages
Here are a few advantages of boxing fitness that stand out despite the fact that it can give a thorough strength and cardio workout.
Posture and balance Posture and equilibrium Balance and posture can be greatly enhanced by practising the wide-legged stance used in boxing and the shifting of your centre of gravity when you throw a punch. According to Keating, boxers constantly move their feet to gain balance and a solid base before striking. Also, learning how to move a bag with your feet teaches you how to change directions quickly and safely. This makes you more agile and less likely to trip and fall.
strength in the lower body and core. Your arms, shoulders, and lower body can all be strengthened with boxing, but the core and lower body see the biggest improvements. Punching effectively starts at the feet, according to Keating. To deliver the punch, force is first directed out of the arms and up through the core and legs. Therefore, each punch you throw helps to build stronger muscles in your legs and core. "
A stronger core aids in everyday actions including bending, twisting, and reaching, as well as posture improvement and protection against low back pain.
concentration and memory. Boxing involves thinking since your brain needs to keep one step ahead of your body. You must know and use a variety of punching combinations and sequences during routines. Because you have to recall the current punches and what will happen next right away, Keating says that this not only forces you to learn complex moves but also keeps you present in the moment.
Stress relief Boxing has the added benefit of releasing tension that aerobic activity lacks. When a punching bag doesn't hit back, "it just feels nice to let out aggression sometimes," adds Keating.
