Sean Jenkins, of SJ Boxing & Fitness, attended a Boxing for Parkinson’s workshop at Broad Plain Boxing Club in Bristol recently, run by Dennis Stinchcombe MBE.
After listening to and witnessing the positive effect boxing has on the people who suffer with Parkinson’s disease, Sean has launched his own non-contact boxing sessions catered around those diagnosed.
Sean explains: “Parkinson’s is a movement disorder – a progressive disease of the nervous system marked by tremor, muscular rigidity, and slow, imprecise movement, chiefly affecting middle-aged and elderly people. It is associated with degeneration of the basal ganglia of the brain and a deficiency of the neurotransmitter dopamine.
“A few weeks ago I decided to start non-contact boxing sessions for people who suffer from Parkinson’s. During this time, I have enjoyed getting together with people and seeing the response and enjoyment on their faces at the end of each session. I strongly believe that the effects of boxing and its fitness routines can give people suffering, if only for an hour or two, a new lease of life – a spark of energy that runs through their nerve cells that makes them feel good.
“I have the utmost respect for this group of people living with this awful condition, and how they have kept their enthusiasm for life when they could quite easily stay at home thinking that the world has forgotten about them. My group has grown from five members to twelve within a short time, something I am very proud of, and there are members who live locally and some who come from as far as Frome. If you know of anyone, or you have a family member who has been diagnosed, please – come along and give it a try.
“Boxing helps to ease the condition by stimulating the brain, and challenging the person to practise certain balance routines, footwork drills, combinations and improve fitness levels. It can also decrease the medication needed as well as improve the sleep of participants.
“I was truly inspired at the workshop, seeing some of these people practically shuffle into the gym, visibly affected by Parkinson’s, put on a pair of gloves, work on the pads and come alive and walk out of the gym feeling happy. It was like all their senses, movement and mobility re-awoke – it really was great to see. Dennis is doing a great job encouraging others to get involved, so I was more than happy to get involved myself.
“If I can help improve someone’s life with Parkinson’s through boxing, I’ll be very pleased. Never underestimate the power of boxing, no matter who you are.”
Following on from the success at Broad Plain, Sean holds his sessions on a Wednesday afternoon from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Norton Radstock Amateur Boxing Club, Coombend, Radstock BA3 3AN. For more information, contact: 07727 041615.