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ST. GEORGE — The sounds of pingpong balls being hit back and forth filled a room in the St. George Recreation Center as a group of nearly 30 older adults gathered for the game with a common purpose — to socialize, engage in physical activity and "put their brains to work" in a program called NeuroPong.
The program, which is the brainchild of Dr. Antonio Barbera, aims to help people with neurodegenerative and other neurological conditions. The fast-moving sport stimulates the brain, improves hand-eye coordination and promotes physical activity and social connection. Barbera said it is a great way to help people diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and dementia.
"Our brains get challenged and stimulated," Barbera told St. George News.
Originally a gynecologist from Italy who later moved to Denver, Colorado, Barbera was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2016. Yet, it wasn't until late 2019 that he made a connection between playing pingpong and the relief he felt from his condition afterward.
