A unique collaboration between former national and Golden Gloves Champion and well known boxing trainer, Rai Fazio, and Neurologist, Professor David Blacker has led to the formation of an exercise program for Parkinson’s now available for in person training in Perth, and in an on-line format.
The program is based upon the “Feasibility of instituting graduated high intensity training” (FIGHT-PD)study, published in the Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in January 2024. In late 2019, Rai and David were introduced by mutual contacts at the Perron Institute for neurological and translational science. David, a neurologist who has young onset Parkinson’s, undertook Rai’s boxing training program, and experienced a clear improvement in his Parkinson’s symptoms. This inspired the study, conducted in collaboration with the exercise physiologist, Dr Travis Cruickshank from Edith Cowan University. Whilst there had been previous descriptive studies on boxing training for Parkinson’s, none had used measures to record exercise intensity, nor included a detailed protocol. FIGHT-PD demonstrated that a group of people with early stage Parkinson’s, could safely be built up to three, one hour sessions per week of high intensity training. The study results have formed the basis of a program that commenced group classes in November 2024 at the Loftus Centre. The City of Vincent has generously supplied space and time for 6, and soon 8 classes per week. The Perron Institute funded the fitout and equipment. There are now nearly 100people with Parkinson’s participating with positive feedback and numerous testimonial reports.
Rai has trained a team of boxing coaches who are all boxers themselves (including several former champions) to allow for the program to extend more widely. The coaches provide expert tips and supervision whilst the participants follow the series of pre-recorded workouts on large screens above the FIGHTMASTER training devices. This ensures consistency and safety. Plans are well underway to establish a second community site in Joondalup in early 2025, and then Midland and Fremantle.
Training can also be undertaken by on-line at home, when a FIGHTMASTER device is purchased.
David Blacker
Perron Institute’s Medical Director
Parkinson’s WA Board Director
