Day: May 31, 2022

The Ring celebrated Parkinson’s Awareness Month in April, and we’re proud to say that we support everyone and anyone on their boxing journey. We welcome anyone with Parkinson’s to join us! Here are 5 reasons you should start boxing with The Ring if you have Parkinson’s.

1. Boxing Gives You a Dopamine Boost

Drops in dopamine levels can contribute to Parkinson’s Disease (shortened to PD). Many PD patients find that increasing dopamine levels helps to alleviate their symptoms, which has led to treatments such as dopamine replacement therapy. Dopamine is also responsible for boosting your mood, memory and motivation. Boxing is a great workout that can significantly increase your dopamine levels!

2. Boxing Increases Your Strength

Boxing is a full-body workout that trains various muscle groups, including your core,  chest, arms, legs and shoulders. Boxing programmes usually include elements of strength training too. This keeps your body active and prevents muscle deterioration.

3. Boxing Improves Gait, Mobility and Speed

Studies 1-5 have shown that boxing increases your mobility and speed. PD patients were found to improve their gait over time when they took up boxing. These results were not observed in other traditional forms of exercise. This should come as no surprise, as boxing often requires you to keep moving and chance your stances while throwing punches!

4. Boxing Helps Increase Endurance

Endurance training is a huge part of boxing. You will need to improve your stamina to continue this high-intensity workout for prolonged periods. Boxing will improve your cardiovascular health and endurance, which can be useful for PD patients.

5. Boxing Grows Your Confidence

Have you ever met an unconfident boxer? Boxing requires you to be fully focused and to keep improving in your physical strength and agility. Sticking to a disciplined regime and watching yourself grow stronger over time can work wonders for self esteem. Boxing is also a social activity, which means you will have a community of like-minded friends cheering you on and working on your goals together. This wholesome activity will definitely help PD patients to feel more optimistic while keeping their symptoms at bay!

Reach out to us or sign up for a trial class to get your first boxing experience at The Ring! 

*Disclaimer: The Ring is not a medically certified centre, nor are we physiotherapists. The evidence for how boxing benefits PD patients has been largely anecdotal. However, there are several studies and programmes in the U.S. and other countries that promote boxing as a beneficial activity for PD patients. The Ring is inspired by this and hopes to promote an inclusive community that encourages PD patients to box as well.

¹ Frazzitta G, Maestri R, Ghilardi MF, Riboldazzi G, Perini M, Bertotti G, Boveri N, Buttini S, Lombino FL, Uccellini D, Turla M, Pezzoli G, Comi C. Intensive rehabilitation increases BDNF serum levels in parkinsonian patients: a randomized study. Neurorehabil Neural Repair. 2014 Feb;28(2):163-8. doi: 10.1177/1545968313508474. Epub 2013 Nov 8. PMID: 24213955.

² Uysal N, Kiray M, Sisman AR, Camsari UM, Gencoglu C, Baykara B, Cetinkaya C, Aksu I. Effects of voluntary and involuntary exercise on cognitive functions, and VEGF and BDNF levels in adolescent rats. Biotech Histochem. 2015 Jan;90(1):55-68. doi: 10.3109/10520295.2014.946968. Epub 2014 Sep 9. PMID: 25203492.

³ Schenkman M, Moore CG, Kohrt WM, et al. Effect of High-Intensity Treadmill Exercise on Motor Symptoms in Patients With De Novo Parkinson Disease: A Phase 2 Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Neurol. 2018;75(2):219–226. doi:10.1001/jamaneurol.2017.3517

⁴ Combs SA, Diehl MD, Chrzastowski C, Didrick N, McCoin B, Mox N, Staples WH, Wayman J. Community-based group exercise for persons with Parkinson disease: a randomized controlled trial. NeuroRehabilitation. 2013;32(1):117-24. doi: 10.3233/NRE-130828. PMID: 23422464.

⁵ Borrero L, Miller SA, Hoffman E. The meaning of regular participation in vigorous-intensity exercise among men with Parkinson’s disease. Disabil Rehabil. 2020 Oct 25:1-7. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2020.1836042. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33103500.