The purpose of this study was to compare group boxing training to traditional group exercise on function and quality of life in persons with Parkinson disease (PD). A convenience sample of adults with PD (n = 31) were randomly assigned to boxing training or traditional exercise for 24-36 sessions, each lasting 90 minutes, over 12 weeks. Boxing training included: stretching, boxing (e.g. lateral foot work, punching bags), resistance exercises, and aerobic training. Traditional exercise included: stretching, resistance exercises, aerobic training, and balance activities. Participants were tested before and after completion of training on balance, balance confidence, mobility, gait velocity, gait endurance, and quality of life. The traditional exercise group demonstrated significantly greater gains in balance confidence than the boxing group (p < 0.025). Only the boxing group demonstrated significant improvements in gait velocity and endurance over time with a medium between-group effect size for the gait endurance (d = 0.65). Both groups demonstrated significant improvements with the balance, mobility, and quality of life with large within-group effect sizes (d ≥ 0.80). While groups significantly differed in balance confidence after training, both groups demonstrated improvements in most outcome measures. Supporting options for long-term community-based group exercise for persons with PD will be an important future consideration for rehabilitation professionals.

Despite the progressive nature of PD, the patients in this case series showed short-term and long-term improvements in balance, gait, activities of daily living, and quality of life after the boxing training program. A longer duration of training was necessary for patients with moderate to severe PD to show maximal training outcomes. The boxing training program was feasible and safe for these patients with PD.

No abstract

This study compared head kinematic responses and step latency following an anteriorly directed postural perturbation between two groups (Young, mean age 27.39; Elderly, mean age 71.9). We further attempted to demonstrate, for the first time, a positive linear relationship between sagittal plane head angular velocities and stepping responses in both groups. It was hypothesized that the Elderly would demonstrate higher head angular velocities and greater step latencies than the Young. We also hypothesized that a positive linear relationship would show that, following a perturbation, trials where head angular velocity was low yielded quicker step responses. Each participant experienced three perturbations under five different visual conditions designed to alter visual input and head/trunk coordination. Repeated-measures ANOVA was used, with α set at 0.05. For each test condition, the Elderly consistently demonstrated longer step latencies while exhibiting higher head angular velocities. For each group, a positive linear relationship was shown between the two dependent variables (Young: r=0.86; Elderly, r=0.84). During a postural perturbation, as head angular velocity increased, stepping responses were delayed.

No abstract