Boxing

Boxing has many benefits for people living with Parkinson’s.

Non-contact boxing is a safe and enjoyable way to incorporate high-intensity exercise into your routine.

What are the benefits of non-contact boxing?

Non-contact boxing, also known as Neuroboxing, offers numerous benefits for people living with Parkinson’s. It 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 also 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?

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.
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).
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.
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.
Social interaction: Participating in group boxing classes provides an opportunity for social interaction, helping to combat social isolation and depression.

Key Statistics

Participants in boxing programs have reported an 87% reduction in falls per month. (5)
After a 15-week boxing program, 90% of participants showed improvement on the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale. (6)
Boxing programs have been shown to reduce fatigue and improve sleep quality among participants. (6)
Boxing programs for Parkinson’s disease have seen high participation rates, with many individuals continuing to engage in the activity due to its enjoyable nature. (6)

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:

Fazio’s PD Fighters FaziospdFighters.com
Knock Out Parkinson’s Disease (KOPD) NSW& TAS https://www.kopd.com.au/
Rock Steady Boxing VIC https://www.breathemoverelax.com.au/
Parkinson’s Fighters United QLD https://www.parkinsonsfightersunited.org.au/
PD Box Fit Group Classes NSW https://www.exerciseforparkinsons.com.au/group-classes
PD Box Fit @HOME https://www.exerciseforparkinsons.com.au/pd-box-fit-home
PD Warrior https://pdwarrior.com/
Plus Boxing https://www.msplus.org.au/support-services/allied-health-services/exercise-physiology-2/ms-plus-boxing
Tailored Fitness Padbury WA www.tailoredfitness.com.au

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

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

(5) Horbinski, C., Zumpf, K.B., McCortney, K. et al. Longitudinal observational study of boxing therapy in Parkinson’s disease, including adverse impacts of the COVID-19 lockdown. BMC Neurol 21, 326 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12883-021-02359-6

(6) Boxing can take the fight to Parkinson’s Disease https://www.ecu.edu.au/newsroom/articles/research/boxing-can-take-the-fight-to-parkinsons-disease

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.

Infosheet kindly reviewed by Professor David Blacker AM, MB BS, FRACP, Clinical Professor, Perron Institute

David Blacker is the medical director of the Perron Institute for Neurological and Translation Science, Professor of Neurology at the University of WA and board member of Parkinson’s WA. For most of his career, he was a stroke neurologist and researcher. In 2018, he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. He writes and speaks widely about his personal experience and hopes to assist others by sharing this.

He lead the FIGHT-PD study (reference 3) of boxing exercise, and continues to train 2 or 3 times per week. He recently assisted a review of the 2021 Parkinson’s exercise recommendations for the Parkinson’s Foundation ad American College of Sports Medicine.

References: