"Studies have shown that noncontact boxing is good for the brain so it is good for Parkinson's disease. Will it cure Parkinson's disease? Probably not because it is a neurodegenerative 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