While many people think of walking, jogging, or weight lifting when told to exercise to help manage their Parkinson's disease, Steve Hawkinson finds ping pong to be his activity of choice. As the head of the Saint Paul chapter of PingPongParkinson, Steve is trying to spread the word about this activity as a tool for managing PD symptoms. We caught up with him recently
Q. How difficult is it to learn to play ping pong?
A. Anyone can learn to play ping pong! It is a matter of slowly learning to gain control over a little plastic ball. A player picks up skills reasonably quickly using simple introductory drills and can hit the ball in no time. It's a fast-paced game, and players need to be able to take in information from their partner's shot and then make decisions about their shot. This motion is repeated over and over at a very rapid pace. The game has both active and physical components as well as complicated cognitive components. It is an enjoyable social activity. Laughter is often heard throughout the session. Formal games are played till one side reaches eleven points. In our PingPongParklinson class, gameplay is not a priority. Instead, players work on extended rallies (hitting the ball back and forth, over and over) to improve their hand-eye coordination, reaction time, and shot techniques. At PingPongParkinson St Paul, we are fortunate to be supported by a world-class coach. Mitch Seidenfeld manages the table tennis facility we use for our group. He is currently the head coach of the US Paralympic table tennis team. Each player gets personalized help from Mitch. We begin each session with 20 minutes of Parkinson's-specific exercise so that we are ready to play. Becky Olson-Kellogg is our physical therapist. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the group. PingPongParkinson hosts tournaments worldwide, so national and international tournaments are available if a player desires to participate. If a player wants to play in a small setting with Parkinson's friends and grow their skills, that is available, too. It has been delightful to watch our participants improve week-to-week.
Q. What have you found to be the most significant benefit of ping pong related to Parkinson's?
A. First and foremost, PingPongParkinson is a support group that doesn't feel like a support group. We share our Parkinson's stories, but they don't dominate our conversations. We share our interests, discuss our families, meet new friends, and socialize. It's a place where everyone is welcomed and accepted, regardless of their skill level or experience with Parkinson's.
Secondarily, I have improved my symptoms over the past several months. Since I started playing ping pong several times a week, I have less stiffness on my right side. I'm not as slow as I had been before ping pong. My balance and gait have improved, and I'm less vulnerable to falls. Most of all, I have removed nearly all of the sad and depressing thoughts Parkinson's can provide. I'm much more optimistic about my situation.
Personally, I am proud of the development of a PingPongParkinson chapter in Minnesota. It has been a lot of work, but it is all worth it. I've enjoyed the game and have been fortunate to recruit some wonderful friends to join me on the journey. Ping-pong has genuinely changed my life, not just in terms of my Parkinson's symptoms, but also in terms of my personal growth and empowerment. I hope my journey can inspire others to take control of their Parkinson's and find joy in the process.
Q. How can people join PingPongParkinson's?
A. Our roster is complete now. With the space we have and the number of ping-pong tables available, we need to cap the enrollment. That said, there is a waiting list available.
My hope is that as treating Parkinson's symptoms through Ping-Pong becomes more visible, additional sites will open, and this opportunity will expand across the region.
Q. Is there anything else you would want to say to those struggling with their Parkinson's Disease?
A. My advice to those struggling with Parkinson's Disease is simple: get up and exercise. If ping pong isn't your thing, that's okay. The key is to find an activity that challenges both your mind and body. This combination of cognitive and physical challenges can tap into the brain's healing power of neuroplasticity, its ability to change and adapt due to experience. So, find your activity and get moving.
More information about PingPongParkinson can be found here. Look for them at your next PD community event—they'll be the ones with the ping-pong table! If you have more questions, please email pppstpaul@gmail.com. If you're interested in starting your own chapter, click here.
If you want to find a new activity or exercise group, check out the links below!
On Capital Hill
On July 2nd, 2024, President Biden signed the National Plan to End Parkinson's Act, making this act an official law. As you might guess from the title, his legislation aims to end PD. It will increase federal funding for Parkinson's research, potentially speeding up the development of new treatments, improving early diagnostic tools, developing enhanced care models for patients, and bringing further awareness to Parkinson's disease.
The University of Minnesota is a frequent beneficiary of federal funds for PD research; UMN researchers submit applications for new PD-focused projects every year and funding from the federal government is crucial to our research program.
Recent PhD graduate Jacquelyn Sertic defended her dissertation on Parkinson's disease (PD) research. Her dissertation focused on ankle proprioception (your body's ability to sense movement, action, and location) in aging adults and people with PD.
If you receive care through M Health Fairview and have questions about your clinical care, you may send a message to your medical team via MyChart. If you need immediate assistance, during business hours please call 612-626-6688.
Interested in participating in research? pdresearch@umn.edu Have a resource or upcoming event you would like to share? Email pdresearch@umn.edu
This newsletter is a service of the MnDRIVE DBS Core at the University of Minnesota. If you would like to support Parkinson's Disease Research at the University of Minnesota, donations can be made here!
