The benefits of non-contact boxing for Parkinson’s

Non-contact boxing, also known as Neuroboxing, offers numerous benefits for people living with Parkinson’s. Non-contact boxing is a safe and enjoyable way to incorporate high-intensity exercise into your routine, promoting physical and mental wellbeing. It has also been found to improve gait, mobility, agility and overall quality of life (1). Participants have reported benefits such as increased energy, improved mood, and better physical health.

What is involved in non-contact boxing?

These programs often include activities such as:

  • Non-contact boxing drills: To improve coordination and strength.
  • Balance and flexibility exercises: To help with stability and mobility.
  • Cardiovascular workouts: To boost overall fitness and energy levels.
  • Dual-tasking exercises: To enhance cognitive function and multitasking abilities.

Why should I box for PD?

  1. Improved motor function: Boxing involves a wide range of movements that target different muscle groups, improving strength, flexibility, and coordination. High-intensity exercises like boxing can help individuals overcome movement difficulties and enhance overall motor skills. A study by the Perron Institute and Edith Cowan University developed a high-intensity exercise program using non-contact boxing for people with early-stage Parkinson’s disease (2, 3). The program included balance and movement drills, high-intensity aerobic bursts, and sequences of punches. Participants showed improvements in fatigue levels, sleep quality, and a commonly used score of Parkinson’s severity.
  2. Enhanced balance and stability: Boxing requires precise footwork and balance, which can help improve stability and prevent falls. The dynamic movements involved in boxing promote the activation of postural muscles, leading to better balance control (4).
  3. Increased cardiovascular fitness: Boxing exercises elevate heart rate and stimulate cardiovascular endurance, enhancing overall health and reducing the risk of co-morbidities associated with Parkinson’s disease.
  4. Cognitive benefits: Boxing training involves a combination of physical and mental challenges, requiring individuals to think strategically and react quickly. Cognitive functions, such as attention, memory, and problem-solving, can be significantly improved through regular boxing exercises.
  5. Social interaction: Participating in group boxing classes provides an opportunity for social interaction, helping to combat social isolation and depression.

Where can I box for PD?

To find local programs and classes in Australia, you can see if one of these programs is available online or near you or speak with your accredited exercise physiologist about designing a program for you:

If you are a trainer or EP and want to get trained to coach people with Parkinson’s in boxing see programs like Boxing CS3 at acexercise.com.au

Reproduced from the Parkinson’s Australia Boxing page

 

References:

(1) Lowery, B., Flewwellin, J., & Terrell, S. L. (2023). Can Boxing Deliver a Knockout Punch against Parkinson’s Disease? A Review of the Evidence. ACSM’s Health & Fitness Journal, 27(4), 11-18.

(2) Blacker, D. J., Cruickshank, T., Turner, M., Tucak, C., & Fazio, R. (2021). 061 Feasibility of instituting graduated high intensity training for parkinson disease (FIGHT-PD); a non-contact boxing exercise study.

(3) Blacker, D. J., Fazio, R., Tucak, C., Beranek, P., Pollard, C., Shelley, T., Rajandran, S., Holbeche, G., Turner, M., & Cruickshank, T. (2024). FIGHT-PD: A feasibility study of periodized boxing training for Parkinson disease. PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitation, 16(1), 36–46. https://doi.org/10.1002/pmrj.12986

(4) Moore, A., Yee, E., Willis, B. W., Prost, E. L., Gray, A. D., & Mann, J. B. (2021). A community-based boxing program is associated with improved balance in individuals with Parkinson’s disease. International journal of exercise science, 14(3), 876.

n.b. Parkinson’s Australia is not recommending or endorsing any particular programs and you should seek expert advice before starting any new exercise programs.

Share

Other articles

  • 101 | The Hidden Cost of Connection

    The Hidden Cost of Connection: What I'm Seeing After the World Parkinson Congress By Richie Pikunis As I've been watching TikTok videos, Facebook posts, and personal reflections from people who attended the World Parkinson Congress, I've noticed an overriding theme showing up again and again. It isn't research. It isn't new treatments. It isn't the [...]

  • 101 | Diagnosis of Parkinson’s

    The journey to a Parkinson's  diagnosis relies heavily on the careful, expert eye of a neurologist. By systematically evaluating your medical history, assessing the subtle nuances of your physical movements, and monitoring your response to medications, specialists can build a highly accurate clinical picture. While no single standard scan can definitively confirm the condition today, tests like DaTscans, MRIs, and blood tests play a vital supporting role in ruling out other problems. As genetic testing becomes more refined for YOP, and revolutionary new tests for alpha-synuclein move from the laboratory to the clinic, the future of diagnosing Parkinson's promises to be earlier, faster, and more precise than ever before.

  • CARERS | Parkinson’s, a two-person condition

    By: Richie Pikunis Caring for someone with advancing Parkinson’s does something to a caregiver that most people outside the situation don’t fully understand. People think it’s just “helping out.” Maybe reminding someone about meds, maybe lending a hand once in a while. That’s adorable. Advanced Parkinson’s is not a hobby. It’s not a favour. It’s [...]