One of the most recognized names in the world is Muhammad Ali. He is most well-known for being one of the leading heavyweight champions. While many of us are amazed by his talent, there are probably a few people who are unaware that Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 1984. From the moment of his diagnosis, up to his passing in 2016, Ali was an advocate for those living with Parkinson’s.
There are many possible causes of Parkinson’s. One of the main environmental factors is head injury. Many people assumed this was the reasoning behind Ali’s diagnosis. However, even his physicians opposed this. Not being one to back down out of a fight, Ali would continue to fight Parkinson’s for 32 years. During this time, he also chose to use his fame to bring awareness to the disease.
Ali did more than help establish the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center at the Barrow Neurological Institute.
He was also a big part in coming up with a treatment regimen for Parkinson’s.
According to Parkinson’s News Today, “As a result of his [Ali’s] influence, it is now widely accepted that regular exercise, particularly when begun early after diagnosis, can reduce symptoms and greatly increase a patient’s quality of life. Many centers, including the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center, now integrate physical and mental exercise into the treatment of patients.”
According to Global News, Parkinson’s disease affects one in every 500 people in Canada. At the time of this coverage, over 100,000 Canadians are living with Parkinson’s.
An amazing form of physical exercise that has shown amazing benefits in fighting this disease, is boxing.
Benefits of Boxing
All types of boxing, (like the ones you can learn in classes at Urban Legends), offer many benefits.
“Boxing as a sport requires a high level of athletic prowess: strength, speed, agility, hand-eye coordination, endurance, nerve, and power, just to name several required attributes. Boxing as a fitness activity enables the average person to hone those same athletic skills, all without having to take a punch.” – Money Crashers
Are you looking to improve your cardiovascular health? Does your hand-eye coordination need a bit of work? Maybe you would like to tone/strengthen your body. Perhaps, boxing is simply your favorite way to lower your stress. All of these are good reasons to begin your boxing journey, or at least learn more about it. I’ll be honest, just writing this article makes me want to pick up boxing!
Rock Steady Boxing
A form of boxing that is gaining popularity when it comes to the effect it has on those fighting Parkinson’s, is Rock Steady Boxing.
“Rock Steady Boxing is a first-of-its-kind, non-contact boxing-inspired fitness curriculum designed to dramatically improve the ability of people suffering from Parkinson’s disease. It was founded in 2006 by former Marion County Prosecutor Scott Newman who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at age 40. He experienced a rapid progression of symptoms including tremors, rigidity, and a loss of some functions. A friend taught him how to box, and he quickly saw his symptoms decrease. After only a few weeks, he stretched out his arms and said, “Look, I’m Rock Steady.” – via Photo Shoot for a Cure
Since 2006, there have been several articles, reports, and firsthand accounts discussing Rock Steady Boxing. Many of these discuss how it helps the lives of those suffering from this degenerative neurological disease.
Michael J. Fox, ia another prominent figure in the fight against Parkinson’s. He too has also featured information about Rock Steady Boxing on his Foundation’s website.
“This full-body workout, recently highlighted in The Washington Post, tests balance, agility, and hand-eye coordination, all of which can be affected by Parkinson’s. It also can build muscle strength, potentially help speech (some say grunting or yelling while punching aids with vocal projection) and even offer an outlet for frustration toward symptoms or disease.”
It is truly amazing to see how physical activity can truly make a difference in people’s lives. For individuals fighting Parkinson’s, boxing sounds like it may be the perfect activity to try.
Originally posted on Mtl365 By Joanna Ahti
