Parkinson’s disease is one of the chronic diseases which has no known cure. Although scientists believe that certain factors which tend to contribute to the development of the disease may bring them closer to identifying the true cause, the fact remains; Parkinson’s disease can only be managed and not cured.
This may serve as bad news to the millions of people worldwide who are affected by the symptoms of this disorder. However, researchers believe that exercise is beneficial to the health of individuals suffering from Parkinson’s and can effectively reduce its symptoms.
Exercise for Parkinson’s Disease
It is helpful to remember that Parkinson’s disease is a progressive one which gets worse with time. As the disease progresses, it becomes difficult for the affected individuals to engage in common physical activities such as talking, writing, walking and even navigating obstacles. The inability to function properly and engage in normal day-to-day activities can impact the mental health of such an individual and cause depression.
Increasing evidence has been gathered, proving that exercise can be used as a neuroprotective tool to combat the effects of neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s disease.
Aerobics and similar exercise programs and which promote rhythmic movement, proper posture, rotation and the health of the lungs and heart may be extremely helpful.
To be effective, the exercise must introduce healthy movement patterns and challenge the patient to change direction or tempo and adjust the body at inordinate intervals. Such physical rhythmic activities must also improve balance and enable the patient to perform reciprocal movements. Although dancing, cycling, and skipping are examples of exercises which can perform such functions, they remain in the background as exercises for Parkinson’s disease while “Boxing” remains at the forefront.
How Does Boxing Help Parkinson’s Disease?
When exercises are recommended as treatment options for individuals suffering from chronic illnesses, mild aerobics such as walking, swimming, and jogging are usually on the list.
It can, therefore, be surprising that this intense albeit fun form of exercise is being touted as an appropriate workout solution for individuals with Parkinson’s disease.
It is important to note that any form of exercise which can effectively reduce the effects of Parkinson’s disease has to be complex, intense and repetitive. Boxing remains one of the most intense sports one can ever engage in and as such, can be helpful to patients of this disorder.
Benefits of Boxing
- Boxing incorporates a lot of actions and fast movements in different directions which have a combined effect on spinal flexibility.
- It also serves to strengthen motor skills, balance and gait, sensory function and basically all areas of the body which are often affected by Parkinson’s disease.
- Another benefit of this form of exercise is that it actively engages the brain and the entire body, causing it to respond to each precise movement and change in direction.
Conclusion
Although Parkinson’s disease has no known cure, proper exercise can be used to reduce and even reverse its symptoms. Complex and intense physical activities such as boxing can help improve the health of individuals affected by this disorder as it incorporates quick movements and engages the brain and body. Boxing also helps to improve sensors function, motor skills, and mood. Unlike professional boxers, patients who engage in this sport are only fighting for their health.