NIFS Healthy Living Blog

Finding a Way Forward

Although a Parkinson’s diagnosis is something one would prefer to avoid, there are blessings that accompany the hardships. One of those blessings in my own experience has been developing a relationship with the National Institute for Fitness and Sport (NIFS).

After my 2021 diagnosis at age 50, the one fact I encountered everywhere was that the single best thing for anyone with Parkinson’s is regular exercise — especially vigorous activity. Of course, the best way to stick with exercise is to find something you enjoy. For me, that has always been basketball.

So, in a LinkedIn post, I asked a simple question: Would anyone have interest in developing a basketball-based program for people with Parkinson’s? I tagged several Parkinson’s organizations and professionals. Only one person responded with interest — NIFS President, Emily Davenport.

From Idea to Action

That conversation eventually led to the first annual “Hoop It for Parkinson’s” event hosted by NIFS in April 2025 during Parkinson’s Awareness Month.

The event drew nine players with Parkinson’s — enough for an afternoon of four-on-four, half-court basketball. Most players were from Central Indiana, though two traveled from out of state: Gavin Mogan from Texas and Jimmy Choi, known for his appearances on American Ninja Warrior, from Illinois.

In the months that followed, NIFS continued building on the idea through its Parkinson ’s-focused Bold Moves programming. The team even published a “Basketball for Parkinson’s” handout outlining six basketball-based drills designed to challenge hand-eye coordination, weight shifting, and mobility.

The next “Hoop It for Parkinson’s” event is planned for April 9, 2026. With the support of such energetic and proactive visionaries as Emily Davenport and her colleagues at NIFS, I’m confident basketball-for-Parkinson’s programming will continue to grow. One can even imagine a global network of Parkinson’s hoopsters — similar to the well-known boxing programs that already exist for people with Parkinson’s.

Life on the Court

For me personally, basketball remains a regular part of life. I still play several nights a week with a group of players, mostly 40-and-over, and now that group includes several others besides myself who are living with Parkinson’s.

At certain times, I certainly look nothing like a basketball player. Parkinson ’s - induced muscle rigidity can cause a stiff limp, particularly when I’m due for my next dose of medication or after a long day sitting at my desk. Although I’ve largely been spared a tremor so far, my symptoms also include bradykinesia, dyskinesia, and dystonia.

Yet something fascinating happens once I step on the court. Even on days when those symptoms are noticeable, they often seem to fade once I start running and playing. At the very least, I become so immersed in the game that I simply stop noticing them.

Why It Matters

Parkinson’s is a progressive disorder that generally worsens over time — but that doesn’t mean we are powerless against it. Exercise can play a powerful role in slowing progression and improving quality of life.

Medical journalist Emily Delzell wrote on the Brian Grant Foundation website that the quick, coordinated, whole-body movements required in basketball are exactly the kind of exercise researchers have found to improve Parkinson’s symptoms and stimulate neuroplasticity — the brain’s ability to form new neural connections.

Basketball demands multidirectional movement, coordination between upper and lower limbs, and the ability to stay balanced while in motion. Dribbling, shooting, and jumping build motor skills and create muscle memory that carries over into everyday life.

It also requires something researchers call dual-tasking — thinking about your next move while already in motion and responding to cues from other players. Studies have shown that activities combining physical movement with cognitive engagement can help people with Parkinson’s maintain and improve both motor function and mental sharpness.

The foundation Delzell referenced was created by former NBA player Brian Grant, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s while still playing professionally. Even after retiring, Grant continued to play recreationally — both for the love of the game and to maintain his health while living with Parkinson’s.

More Than Exercise

Through hard work and dedication, people with Parkinson’s can actually improve their performance in the sports they love. That kind of progress runs counter to the assumption that the only direction for people with Parkinson’s is decline.

Beyond the physical benefits, getting better at a sport after diagnosis can provide a powerful emotional and psychological boost. And that mental side of the battle is just as important.

Whatever a person’s age or skill level, there is something meaningful about stepping on a court with friends and playing the game you love.

That’s a blessing worth appreciating.

Interested in learning more about NIFS Pump It for Parkinson's Event in Indy, or to join us in our nationwide goal of 50 million steps? Click below to see how you can help make an impact on April 9, 2026!

Five years ago, NIFS experienced success with the introduction of our Parkinson’s-based fitness program in the senior living communities we serve across the country. Two years ago, we started hosting an annual event, Pump it for Parkinson’s, to raise awareness on the benefits of exercise for those living with Parkinson’s Disease and the momentum is only growing. The event has provided education to thousands and generated over 22 million steps in 40+ states across the US and Canada and has garnered media attention at our downtown Indianapolis location. The response we have received from people with Parkinson’s, their families, and the communities we serve has been overwhelming in identifying a need. We need to continue the fight to bring the stigma of a Parkinson’s diagnosis out of the shadows and provide quality fitness programs to serve the interests and needs of people with Parkinson’s.

Consider this…

…You are a lifelong exerciser and sport enthusiast, and you receive a diagnosis. You love competition and staying in the game. Does the inner athlete you see in yourself change upon receiving a diagnosis? Do you have the same resources and programs available to stay engaged?

…You don’t exercise, and you receive a diagnosis. You benefit from the structure and guidance of physical therapy, but you are discharged, and your doctor tells you to keep exercising. Do you know how to find a gym? Do the programs and services meet your needs, interest and passions as someone living with Parkinson’s?

With 90,000 people receiving a diagnosis every year in the US, these questions and many others are what people with Parkinson’s face every day along with anxiety for what the future holds. Research indicates that nearly 40% of people experience depression in the year following their diagnosis. Through Pump it for Parkinson’s, we have received countless thanks from people with Parkinson’s and their family for not only raising awareness but celebrating the wins we see people with Parkinson’s achieve when they are exercising. When you focus on the abilities of someone with a new diagnosis, it can help eliminate fear and empower them to pursue lifestyle changes to manage the disease.

NIFS not only has a huge goal of 25 million steps for Pump it for Parkinson’s 2025, but we are also hosting a basketball game at NIFS called Hoop it for Parkinson’s. We have registrants from across the country showing interest in this safe and inclusive environment for halfcourt play while demonstrating to others that the joy of competition has no limits. NIFS partner with Parkinson’s, Bill McCleery shared, “As someone living with Parkinson’s since my 40’s, I appreciate the people at NIFS for embracing the incredible value of exercise and advancing the cause through such great events as Pump it for Parkinson’s and Hoop it for Parkinson’s. I look forward to playing ball at NIFS on April 10!” Our goal is that this inaugural game is only the beginning of bringing additional sports and more friendly competition to the Parkinson’s community. Afterall, Indianapolis is the sporting event powerhouse of the Midwest and NIFS is thrilled to extend that Hoosier hospitality to the PD community.

“You can’t put a limit on anything. The more you dream, the farther you get.” – Michael Phelps

Recently I heard someone say something along the lines of, “That sixth-grade basketball player is ranked #1 in the country.” That got me thinking: How in the world are we ranking sixth-graders? They haven’t even gone through puberty yet!

Early sport specialization basically refers to putting a child into one sport before puberty and keeping them in that one specific sport their whole childhood and adolescent life. Parents think that if their child is focused on one sport, they have a higher chance of getting an athletic collegiate scholarship and possibly going pro at their respective sport. This is the furthest thing from the truth. Early sport specialization is actually detrimental to young children physiologically, psychologically, and fundamentally.

Children Should Learn a Variety of Sports

Children should be exposed to as many sports as possible as they grow up because this allows them to learn different skills that they might not learn if they are focused on only one sport. If a child focuses on the skills required to play baseball or tennis, that child will not master the physical literacy that every athlete should have. Physical literacy is the basic sport and movement skills required for sports that include agility, balance, coordination, and speed (Brenner, 2016).

Variety Will Help with Injury Prevention and Avoiding Burnout

Being a strength coach and personal trainer, a lot of parents ask me to train their child from as early as 10 years old because they think their child is the next LeBron James or Usain Bolt. What I have found out is that those kids typically can’t perform a simple movement like a skip or jumping jack. It actually is sad to see kids struggle with basic movements like this. Allowing kids to play sports for fun is the best way to keep them from burning out or getting seriously hurt before they reach puberty.

Let Kids Play to Have Fun

At the end of the day, we need to allow kids to be kids and play to have fun. Putting too much pressure on kids takes away from their experience and they begin to get scared of failing or not being good enough. They need to learn to fail in certain situations when it comes to athletics or they will not know how to deal with it on their own. Parents and coaches need to work together to eliminate the concept of trying to get their kid to be a professional athlete because chances are it won’t happen. Allow them to enjoy their young years without the pressure.

This blog was written by Pedro Mendez, CSCS, FMS, Health/Fitness Instructor and Strength Coach at NIFS. To learn more about the NIFS bloggers, click here.