Practicing one particular Chinese martial art could help curb symptoms and complications of Parkinson’s disease for several years, according to a new study. Regular practice of Tai Chi, which involves sequences of very slow controlled movements, is linked with slower progression of the debilitating neuro-degenerative condition, with patients likely to require lower doses of drugs over time, according to the research published in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry. Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disorder affecting nerves and muscles, characterised by slowness of movement, resting tremor and stiff and inflexible muscles. It is the fastest growing neurological condition in the world, with two people in the UK diagnosed with the disease every hour, according to Parkinson’s UK. There are still no cures for the condition and while drugs can improve symptoms, they don’t treat all manifestations of the disease. Previous research had hinted that Tai Chi may have some positive effects on Parkinson’s patients, but whether this can be sustained over a long term isn’t known. In the new study, scientists, including those from Shanghai Jiao Tong University in China, monitored two groups of patients with Parkinson’s disease for more than five years from January 2016 to June 2021. Disease severity, medication use, age and education level were found to be similar in both the groups. One group of 147 patients practised Tai Chi twice a week for an hour, while another group of 187 patients continued with their standard care, but didn’t practise the martial art. Doctors monitored disease severity and progression in all the participants as well as their increases in the need for medication at the start of the monitoring period and in November 2019, October 2020 and June 2021. The extent of movement, mood, sleep quality and cognition as well other symptoms like the prevalence of complications like involuntary movement (dyskinesia), abnormal muscle tone (dystonia), hallucinations and restless leg syndrome were also tracked. Scientists found that disease progression was slower at all monitoring points in the Tai Chi group, as assessed by three validated scales to assess overall symptoms, movement and balance. They also found that the number of patients who needed to increase their medication in the comparison group was “significantly higher” than it was in the Tai Chi group. Researchers said cognitive function deteriorated more slowly in the Tai Chi group, while sleep and quality of life also continuously improved. However, scientists acknowledge that the study is observational and can’t establish cause and effect. Citing another limitation of the research, they said the number of study participants was relatively small. “Our study has shown that Tai Chi retains the long-term beneficial effect on [Parkinson’s disease], indicating the potential disease-modifying effects on both motor and non-motor symptoms, especially gait, balance, autonomic symptoms and cognition,” scientists concluded. Read More The 10 products to make 2023 your healthiest year yet Tai chi improves balance, mental health in elderly: study Non-invasive deep brain stimulation ‘could provide treatment for brain diseases’ Daily exercise for just 25 minutes may cut death risk from prolonged sitting Mysterious ancient ‘human face’ rock carvings revealed by receding waters in Amazon Bumblebees ‘prioritise getting maximum calories in shortest time’

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Former UFC fighter Dan Hardy labelled Francis Ngannou’s performance against Tyson Fury “the biggest upset in boxing history” after his split decision defeat in Saudi Arabia. Professional Fighters League star Ngannou dropped WBC heavyweight champion Fury in the third round and appeared to dominate for much of the 10-round bout despite Fury picking up the victory. Hardy believes Ngannou – who signed a multi-fight deal with mixed martial arts league PFL in May – did the “unthinkable” and said he had him winning the fight on his own scorecard. PFL Europe Head of Fighter Operations Hardy told the PA news agency: “For Francis to hold his composure like he did and to outpoint and outbox him was unthinkable. “It is the biggest upset in boxing history even though he didn’t get the decision. “I had him winning the fight. I have my scorecard and I had him 96-93 because of the knockdown in the third and I stand by it. Ngannou certainly won the fight. “It was an unfair decision, Francis deserved the victory and deserved the nod. But it was a close fight, no doubt about it. “I was blown away and I still am. I think right now Ngannou is the king of combat sports, he is the biggest combat sport athlete because of what he achieved on the weekend.” Fury had written off Ngannou’s chances in the build-up, comparing the fight to “a table tennis champion facing (Novak) Djokovic in the Wimbledon final”. Hardy added: “I think (Fury overlooking Ngannou) was a big part of it. “It was a perfect storm on the night and that to me looked like Tyson Fury halfway through training camp expecting a sparring match ahead of the Oleksandr Usyk fight. “I don’t think he looked at Ngannou with the same fear he would Deontay Wilder. “After the third round Fury would’ve been thinking ‘I wish I prepared better for this, I wish I came in lighter’.” Hardy believes former UFC champion Ngannou has a future in heavyweight boxing and that he can go toe-to-toe with the division’s best. He said: “I think we’ll see him fight in Professional Fighters League and then see him move back into the boxing world and have another big fight. “Who else in the top 10 can he give problems to? And the general consensus now is quite a few of them. The two that come to my head are Joe Joyce and Anthony Joshua. It is the biggest upset in boxing history even though he didn't get the decision. Dan Hardy “The Francis we saw against Tyson at the weekend would cause those two serious problems stylistically. “I think he can have a career in boxing if he wants to and he’s going to be ranked soon so the door’s open for him. “Wilder is an obvious opponent, because it would be two of the biggest punchers on the planet. “Wilder does not have the same finesse as Fury.” Read More Having ‘hero’ in opponent’s corner could unsettle Tyson Fury – Carl Frampton What Francis Ngannou must do to beat Tyson Fury: ‘Uncork those big shots’ Luis Rubiales intends to appeal against his three-year ban from football Luis Rubiales intends to appeal against his three-year ban from football When will Conor McGregor return to the UFC? The Independent’s pound-for-pound boxing rankings

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