Parkinson’s patients in Calgary are finding relief thanks to specialized boxing classes and technology developed by University of Calgary researchers.
“We want to be able to improve the quality of life for people living with Parkinson’s,” says Darcy Irwin, head of Grizzly Strides boxing program.
“Boxing lends itself well to the program’s goals with respect to balance and movement. We make sure that they’re given that challenge of moving in reverse, laterally, and forwards, but yet, we do distract them with cognitive tasks at the same time.
In life, you may have something that surprises you or comes into your path, so we want to have them prepared for those moments because ultimately, when you have Parkinson’s, the balance can be challenged over time, and a fall is the ultimate enemy.”
“It’s been great since I started here. I was able to learn to do things I couldn’t do before,” says Shirley Jager, person with Parkinson’s (PWP) and five-year member of Grizzly.
In July 2022, Grizzly began working with the University of Calgary’s research team. They have a team of neurologists that are working on a program called Ambulosono, a multi-domain exercise platform intervention that could deliver lasting clinical benefits in slowing Parkinson’s disease progression.
As Doctor Bin Hu, Professor of Neuroscience at the University of Calgary, explains, “In this program, we combine all three components; gate training, exercise, and music intervention into one.
You wear this sensor on your knee, and when the size of the steps is over a particular number, then the music will be on. If it is lower than that, the music will be shut off.
You basically remind yourself, okay, my steps are too small. You increase it, and you do it over and over again, and your gate becomes automatically bigger, then gradually, it forms a habit. The most significant outcome is that you really enjoy this type of exercise, and over time you reduce the risk of mortality and complications.”
According to PWP and wearer of this newer technology, Don Mallory, “It’s relatively straightforward to use. Doctor Hu says that if you do this, train this way for enough time, you can overcome some of the freezing that you may be associated with Parkinson’s.”