Federico Balet-Owner/Trainer
Donna Balet-Manging Director
Certified Rock Steady Boxing Affiliates. Work with all ages of individuals living with P.D.
Rock Steady Boxing Palm Beach County LLC
is the affiliate program for the non-profit Florida 501C3
"THE WINNING ROUND FOUNDATION, INC.
Fighting Back Against Parkinson's Disease
Founded in 2006 as a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization, Rock Steady Boxing, Inc. (RSB) in Indianapolis is the headquarters for a movement that is giving people with Parkinson's disease hope by improving their quality of life through a non-contact, boxing-inspired fitness curriculum.
In 2006, former Marion County Prosecutor Scott Newman was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. He experienced a rapid progression of symptoms, including tremors, rigidity and a loss of some functions. A friend taught him to box, and he quickly saw his symptoms decrease. After only a few weeks, he stretched out his arms and said, "Look, I'm Rock Steady."
Rock Steady Boxing helps people maintain their physical independence, improve their quality of life and restore confidence and dignity while we wait for a cure. RSB empowers people with Parkinson's to "fight back."
Boxers condition for optimal agility, speed, muscular endurance, accuracy, hand-eye coordination, footwork and overall strength to defend against and overcome opponents. At RSB, Parkinson's is the opponent.
Researchers at institutions such as the University of Indianapolis and the Cleveland Clinic have validated physical and neurological improvement in Parkinson's patients participating in intense, forced workouts. Studies have shown that those participating in the RSB program can see delay, reversal and/or reduction in symptoms.
Getting the right kind of exercise is part of the battle, but equally important are the social and emotional benefits people gain from Rock Steady as shared in these testimonial excerpts:
We came to see we were more than "victims." We could help others and help ourselves!
We didn't know how much we needed Rock Steady Boxing. Thanks to Rock Steady, both of us have a more positive outlook on our future.
Today, I have a new lease on life. I am upbeat, happy, and optimistic - I have HOPE. I have taken control of this disease. It is not controlling me.
My total well-being - morale, physical ability and relationship with others is better because of Rock Steady.
Why boxing training instead of more traditional exercises, such as physical therapy or just going to exercise classes at a fitness center?
Various studies in the 1980’s and 1990‘s support that rigorous exercise, emphasizing gross motor movement, balance, core strength, rhythm, and hand-eye coordination can favorably impact range of motion, flexibility, posture, gait, and activities of daily living. More recent studies, most notably at Cleveland Clinic, focus on the concept of intense “forced” exercise, and suggest that certain types of exercise are neuro-protective, which means that it is a type of exercise that may actually slow disease progression.
The boxing regime at Rock Steady provides a framework which fits the mold for neuro-protection. Boxing requires a combination of endurance, strength, power, speed, agility, flexibility, durability, hand-eye coordination and the ability to react appropriately to strategic situations. Boxing improves balance and stability by forcing movements in all planes of motion. The rapid movements involved in jumping and punching increases over-all muscle fire ability. In addition, Rock Steady has learned methods to combat specific symptoms through other Parkinson’s exercise organizations (like Delay the Disease) to mix into our core boxing curriculum.
Is there medical evidence that shows exercise can help alleviate Parkinson’s symptoms?
Yes. The value of exercise has been corroborated in several studies, including some at Lakehead University in Ontario and University of Utah in Salt Lake City. According to a Cleveland Clinic study, aerobic fitness can be improved in Parkinson’s patients following forced and/or voluntary exercise. Studies are showing that exercise induces brain repair and accompanying behavioral recovery. (References to any studies on this website are for informational purposes only and do not imply a specific endorsement of RSB by the researchers.) Some suggest that continuous, intensive training may confer neuro-protection, and subsequently slow, stop, or reverse the progression of Parkinson’s or promote neuro-restoration.
Because of the promising results seen through RSB, the organization has been selected to be a part of research to document the impact of boxing and rigorous exercise on the progression of Parkinson’s. RSB has also drawn the attention of local university researchers, who are now in the process of quantifying and evaluating the results in the people who have continued with RSB.
Before beginning any type of exercise program including RSB, those with Parkinson’s are encouraged to consult with their physician.
What are the qualifications of the RSB Trainers?
All lead instructors are licensed as Certified Personal Trainers by the National Academy of Sports Medicine. They are also certified, as are many of the volunteers, in first aid, CPR and the use of the automatic electronic defibrillator (AED).
Can I visit an RSB class before deciding if I want to participate?
Rock Steady Boxing helps people maintain their physical independence, improve their quality of life and restore confidence and dignity while we wait for a cure. RSB empowers people with Parkinson's to "fight back."
THE WINNING ROUND FOUNDATION, INC. A 501(C)(3) ORGANIZATION WAS FOUNDED TO HELP EVERYONE, REGARDLESS OF INCOME, JOIN THE ROCK STEADY BOXING PROGRAM TO HELP FIGHT PARKINSON'S DISEASE EVERY DAY!
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