Oak Hammock at the University of Florida
Rock Steady Boxing is for individuals 55 years and older with a clinically diagnosed movement disorder such as Parkinson’s disease.
The Rock Steady Boxing program, or RSB, was founded in 2006 by Scott C. Newman, an attorney in Indiana who is living with Parkinson’s, and his friend Vince Perez, a Golden Glove boxer who tailored his workouts into a “program that attacks Parkinson’s at its vulnerable neurological points. His intuitive insight is now proven to have merit through an increasing body of medical research,” as stated on the official website.
For individuals with Parkinson’s, RSB adapted boxing drills that target optimal agility, speech, muscular endurance, accuracy, hand-eye coordination, footwork and overall strength.
Oak Hammock learned of the Rock Steady Boxing Program and became an affiliate, certifying individuals who conduct the class.
Medical studies have shown that:
Intense “forced” exercise can actually be neuro-protective, meaning it can slow Parkinson’s disease progression.
Boxing can help improve cognitive abilities, alertness and challenges balance (reducing risk of falls).
Boxing has been shown to improve balance, endurance and coordination which aids in fall prevention and improving functional mobility.
Boxing is different than just doing stationary exercise, such as placing a weight on your ankle and extending your leg. The distraction it provides has been shown to get your muscles to work harder and your body to move more than it “thinks it can.”
If you are interested in joining our program, please call 352-548-1170.
