Kickboxing at the University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf

The importance of kickboxing for people with Parkinson's has become increasingly recognized in recent years. Beate Schönwald, the leader of the Kick-Parkinson project, was inspired by the success of boxing and martial arts programs for Parkinson's patients in the USA. These programs demonstrated impressive results in improving participants' motor skills, strength, balance and quality of life.

The positive response to these programs motivated Schönwald to start a similar initiative in Germany. Before the pandemic, she conducted trial training sessions with two participants in the day clinic at the University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE). Participants immediately showed enthusiasm for the training and expressed a desire to continue.

Kickboxing for people with Parkinson's offers numerous benefits. The coordinated movements and intense physical activity can help relieve the symptoms of the disease. Training improves motor skills, strengthens muscles and trains balance. In addition, participating in such an activity can increase self-confidence and promote social interaction, which in turn contributes to an increased quality of life.

The support from the University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf and the funding from the Hilde Ulrichs Foundation is an important step in advancing the “Kick Parkinson” project and giving more people with Parkinson’s the opportunity to benefit from the positive effects of kickboxing . Through such programs, people with Parkinson's not only receive an alternative treatment option, but also a chance to participate more actively in life and improve their quality of life.

A very similar effect can be achieved by therapeutic boxing, that the Parkinson's Association presented online today and in seven other events together with European champion Patrick Rokohl.

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