((PKG))  BOXING TO FIGHT BACK PARKINSON’S 
((Banner:  Moving As Best You Can))

((Reporter:  Faiza Elmasry)) 

((Camera:  Adam Greenbaum))
((Adapted by:  Gabrielle Weiss))  

((Map:  McLean, VA)) 
((NATS))

Alright, today’s going to be a little bit of everything. We’re going to finish it off with a little competition, ok?

((Alec Langstein, Owner & Trainer, Rock Steady Boxing Fighter NOVA)) 

We have a wide variety of different cases of Parkinson’s in this program. 
((NATS))
One, two, three, beautiful!
((Alec Langstein, Owner & Trainer, Rock Steady Boxing Fighter NOVA)) 
Our youngest boxer was 25 years old. The oldest boxer we have right now is 86. A variety of different symptoms with Parkinson’s. Every case isn’t the same. So, some people have tremors. Some people are suffering from other things. And it’s pretty cool to see all them interact together.
((NATS))

One big step forward, one big step to the side.
((Neil Eisner, Rock Steady Boxing Fighter))
I think Alec, who’s the teacher, is really accenting those features that are prominent in Parkinson’s. For example, some people have problems walking or tripping. He works on exercises that affect the legs. He works on exercises that affect balance. That’s something I’m having particular problems with. One of the things, interestingly enough, is you tend to have a lower voice. When you have that lower voice, people can’t hear you. You don’t realize it. So, he accents getting us to bring up our voice clearly and more loudly.
((NATS))
Three, four, four. You’re going to do ten punches. You’re going to say out loud, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten. Go! When you say go your partner’s going to go. Go!
((NATS))
One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, go. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, go!
((Alec Langstein, Owner & Trainer, Rock Steady Boxing Fighter NOVA)) 

Exercise in general for Parkinson’s is what’s going to help reduce the symptoms. So, boxing just fit in perfectly. It tackles all aspects that people may struggle with, with Parkinson’s. 
((Alec Langstein, Owner & Trainer, Rock Steady Boxing Fighter NOVA))

Typical boxer’s program, they focus on balance, hand-eye coordination, reaction time, footwork. There’s some cognitive stuff because in boxing certain numbers equal certain punches.  
((NATS))

Four, five…..
((Alec Langstein, Owner & Trainer, Rock Steady Boxing Fighter NOVA)) 
So when I yell out certain numbers, they have to move and react at the same time. So, the brain and the body’s working together.
((NATS))
Jab! Cross! Hook! Uppercut!
((Danielle Sequira, Physical Therapist))  
Research shows that exercise helps the brain use the dopamine more efficiently.  My goal usually is after I work with someone with Parkinson’s disease, I kind of refer them out and suggest they get involved in exercise programs out in the community.
((Victoria Herbert, Rock Steady Boxing Fighter))  
When I came to my first class here, was the first time I’d ever met anybody else with Parkinson’s. The social gathering that happens here is pretty amazing. These people have become very close in the 4 or 5 months we’ve been together. That’s a big part of it. 
((NATS))
Go! Rotate clockwise!
((Alec Langstein, Owner & Trainer, Rock Steady Boxing Fighter NOVA)) 
I kind of push them, you know, past their perceived limits because a lot of people don’t think they can do some things because whether it’s confidence, just in general, confidence with their Parkinson’s, they don’t think they can do it anymore, their age. And then once we get them out there, doing those things, they surprise themselves. They realize, you know, I can do these things. The Parkinson’s isn’t going to hold me back.
((NATS))
Alright, stance it up! Get in your stance! Lead foot forward!
((NATS))
One! There you go! One! Two!