ANTALYA: Donning shiny gloves and purple sneakers, 75-year-old Nancy Van Der Stracten hops into the boxing ring and starts punching in a fight against severe symptoms of Parkinson's disease.
Six years after her diagnosis, the Belgian woman who lives in Turkey discovered the benefits of non-contact boxing by chance while researching the disease. Ever since, she has been perfecting her punching by going to a gym three times a week.
"It does not stop your Parkinson's. Parkinson's is a degenerative disease. It never stops but you can...slow it down," Van Der Stracten said at a gym in the Mediterranean province of Antalya where she has lived for 15 years.
Non-contact boxing does not involve taking any punches, so there is no risk of head trauma.
Known affectionately by the locals as "Auntie Naciye", she said when she first stepped into the boxing ring, people watched the grandmother of eight with their mouths agape as they were not used to seeing women of her age in the ring.
"If you are more than 50 years old they really look at you like this: 'What are you coming to do here?' But they are gentle from the heart, the Turks. So they let me do it," she told Reuters.
Parkinson's, a progressive disease that affects millions of people worldwide, produces tremors and stiffness as well as problems walking and speaking. Despite limited research, intense exercise has been associated with improving patients' lives.
"Studies have shown that non-contact boxing is good for the brain so it is good for the Parkinson's disease. Will it cure Parkinson's disease? Probably not because it is a neuro-degenerative disorder... but it does improve the quality of life for patients," said Geysu Karlikaya, a neurologist at Medicana Hospital in Istanbul.
A furniture designer and painter, Van Der Van Der Stracten said it has been easier to do housework since she began boxing.
"My doctor said one day, it is forbidden to you to sit down. Go on, go on, go on. And that is my counsel to everybody," she said. "Go out to sport and do something that you like."
Reuters
Thu Mar 04 2021
Nancy Van Der Stracten, 75-year-old suffering from Parkinson's disease, practices boxing with her trainer Muhammed Ali Kardas at a boxing club in the southern resort city of Antalya, Turkey. Filepic/REUTERS
90 pct of Syria's population living in poverty after years of civil war: UN official
UNDP says, "13,000 people (have been) forcibly disappeared, and we don't know their fate yet.
China's hopes to be Ukraine peacemaker collide with its goals on Trump, trade
For the last three years, China has repeatedly signalled a willingness to act as a peacemaker in the war in Ukraine.
Fatty liver disease - A major driver of liver cancer risk in Malaysia
By the time symptoms such as jaundice, abdominal pain and weight loss appear, the cancer may be in its advanced stage.
Trump tightens grip on independent agencies to test limits of presidential power
The order lets the White House shift budget and policies, usually kept at arms length from the president's daily oversight.
INSIGHT - In Russia, dozens of dissenters are held as psychiatric patients
Dozens of Russians face compulsory psychiatric treatment for their political views, say lawyers and human rights groups.
How does space travel affect astronaut health?
Here is an explanation of some of the effects on human health caused by space travel.
Can you distinguish between reality and deepfake?
Currently, Malaysia has no specific laws regulating deepfake technology.
Animated films seek to find a place in best picture Oscar race
Animated filmmakers now aim to be included to the best picture race after being shut out for several years.
Emotional trauma piles up for Ukraine's children three years after invasion
Teachers, psychologists and children are used to living in a state of chronic exhaustion without a clear end in sight, experts say.
Wedding content creation the big thing now for newlyleds
A wedding content creator's success does not rely solely in tech but in capturing emotions and bringing a couples love story to life.
Will Western companies return to Russia?
Easing restrictions could let some companies return to what was once a high-growth market under Trump's administration.
Chatbots pose challenge to guarding child mental health
Developers say AI companions can combat loneliness and improve users' social experiences in a safe space.
With blitz of policies, Trump goes beyond Project 2025's goals
Trump denies ties to Project 2025 but continues reshaping policies through executive power.
Almost half of chronic kidney patients in Malaysia lost their jobs - study
The study raises concerns about the future of chronic kidney patients, especially those who rely on long-term dialysis treatment.
Beware of scam tactics using AI
The drastic development of AI technology is being taken advantage of by scammers to reap huge profits by using various latest tactics.
Fired and rehired - the dizzying confusion of Trump's government overhaul
They have adopted a blunt force approach toward the wholesale firing of workers, often focusing on workers who are easier to fire.
Arab states scramble to counter Trump's Gaza 'Riviera' plan
Arab states trying to devise an alternative plan have yet to tackle critical issues like who will foot the bill for Gaza's reconstruction.
Chinese universities launch DeepSeek courses to capitalise on AI boom
Universities across China have launched artificial intelligence courses this month based on Chinese AI startup DeepSeek.
Astronomers reveal 3D structure of an alien planet's atmosphere
Astronomers find three layers on a scorching gas planet orbiting a star larger and hotter than the sun.
Public flips car involved in road accident to rescue child
According to JBPM, members of the public at the scene took initial action to rescue the victim before the fire brigade arrived.