Boxing Program for Parkinson’s Disease to Expand Nationwide

An initiative originating in Cornwall, which employs boxing as a method to support individuals with Parkinson’s disease in maintaining physical activity, is slated for national expansion. According to the coaches and proponents of the Parky Blinders project, the non-contact gym exercises are highly beneficial for individuals living with this degenerative ailment. Those participating in the program reported that the exercise sessions contributed to improvements in their strength and stamina, alongside mitigating social isolation. A sum of £17,000 is now being allocated to provide complimentary training sessions, enabling more boxing coaches across the nation to acquire new skills and implement the project. Richard Powers, who founded Parky Blinders, also serves as one of the primary coaches at the Newquay Boxing Academy. “Boxing might not be for everyone but there is a sport for everyone, I believe there is, it is finding that right sport for yourself,” he noted. “It is non-contact fun, everyone learns at their own way so it is an individual sport, which helps because each individual comes in with different needs.” “How we adapt it, how we change the sessions to the individual needs is great, in comparison to a team sport which is a little bit harder I imagine.” Ann Curtis-Clarke, who is in her 70s, began attending the sessions following her diagnosis with Parkinson’s disease. She commented: “They really push you, there’s nothing condescending about it, you give it as much as you can.” “I have experienced huge benefits.” “When I started Parky Blinders I was walking really slowly and now I’m back to walking normal pace, so it filters through to your whole life in a really beneficial way.” The recently secured funding, amounting to £17,000, is a joint contribution from England Boxing and Parkinson’s UK. This will enable nine sites nationwide to host the England Boxing Coaching People with Parkinson’s course without charge. Anna Castiaux, the physical activity programme lead at Parkinson’s UK, stated that individuals are not required to become medical experts. She explained: “It’s about having that understanding of the condition, then the coach feels confident and they know what they are dealing with, with what’s coming through the door, but also to provide activities that can help people with their Parkinson’s.” “Once they get into it, they just cannot stop.” For updates, follow BBC Cornwall on X, Facebook, and Instagram. Story ideas can be submitted to spotlight@bbc.co.uk. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content of external websites. Information regarding their external linking policy is available.