Boxing for Fitness and Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects over 6 million people every year and has diverse cognitive and physical symptoms, such as tremors, postural instability, depression, etc. Exercise is known as a valuable intervention for maintaining and alleviating some motor symptoms in PD. Specifically, boxing classes are becoming an increasingly popular treatment for PD due to its ability to combine aerobic training, coordination, strength training, and cognitive engagement. PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of a 4-week boxing program on balance, gait, and quality of life in individuals diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. METHODS: This study consisted of two components. The first involved a boxing intervention group (n=9) in which participants completed a minimum of eight boxing classes over a four-week period and the Tinetti Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA) to assess balance and gait at baseline (week 0) and upon completion of 8 classes (week 4). The second component included community-dwelling individuals diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease; these participants (n=19) completed a survey including questions on demographic characteristics, current fitness level, and participation in group exercise classes. All participants (n=28) completed the Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire–39 (PDQ-39) to assess quality of life. All participants (n=28) were sorted into high, moderate, or low/no exercise intensity groups based on either level of boxing class attended or answers regarding exercise habits on the community survey. RESULTS: Participants in the boxing group (n=9) demonstrated improvements in balance and gait from baseline (week 0: M=24.56, SD=3.13) to week 4 (M=25.44, SD=2.40), with a moderate effect size (Cohen’s d = 0.58). PDQ-39 and community survey results (n=28) indicate that participants engaging in higher intensity exercise report lower PDQ-39 scores, reflecting better quality of life. CONCLUSION: Positive trends in balance, gait, and quality of life suggest that participation in high-intensity activities (such as boxing), may help maintain functional fitness, slow the progression of PD, and support prolonged independence while improving overall quality of life.