could our daughter do martial arts?

[Deleted User]

our daughter is 4 years old, has hypermobility sydrome and a mental age of 2

in 2 or 3 years we would like her to start practicing a martial art, ie... judo, karate, ect..., for self defece reasons


would her disabilities stop her from doing so? as we are worried about her joints popping out

also does anyone in the mansfield, worksop or chesterfield areas know of any clubs or agencies that could help us with this?

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Having HMS/EDS III myself, I have been advised by my physio that any exercise which maintains a healthy range of motion and improves strength actually reduces the risk of popping joints - as stronger muscles are better at holding the limbs in place. They were happy for me to do things such as martial arts once a rather annoying injury clears up (one sustained in the snow), as long as I am aware of my limitations, make sure the sensei knows what the situation is and build things up SLOWLY.

Hypermobile people actually tend to do very well at such things as dance and martial arts because of their flexibility.

Obviously, if you are advised that this is inappropriate for your daughter by a physiotherapist, then that settles it.


But one thing I would say is that doing it for fear someone is going to try to hurt her is the wrong reason. She should do it because it's fun, she enjoys it and it will help keep her fit and strong to deal with the physical challenges she faces.

starchild1972

My cousin is EDS/Hypermobility, weighs 18 stone and does kickboxing and holds down a full time job...You wouldn't argue with Sarah believe me!
My neice is HMS, plays football for a ladies team, joints popping everywhere, just about to have her first child.

ariba10

If the Kickboxing clubs are even half as helpful in your area as they are in ours, she would be made welcome and looked after.

huggsy

My son has several disabilities including hypermobility and he does aikido and loves it

onetomany

my son as hms and has done rugby, football, judo

Malory

Hi. I do martial arts and I think it would be a great idea from a physical standpoint.

However, one thing that the other posters have not addressed is her mental ability. Martial arts are mental as well as physical disciplines.

It would involve learning routines (choreography). I've only studied martial arts as an adult, so I don't know if the routines are made less complicated for children, but I imagine that they would be at least of the same difficulty as the dance routines children learn in dancing school (which I did attend when I was a child.)

She would also need to have the mental maturity to know when and where to use her skills. Is she going to start kicking or punching another child if they call her a name or start hitting if she can't get something that she wants? Will she be able to understand that she can only use her martial arts in class, when she is practing in a safe environment, or if she is truly in danger and there is no other alternative?

You say she has the mental ability of a two year old. I don't know your daughter, but when I think of two year olds, I think of tantrums.


I believe that the youngest age for children to take martial arts classes is about 7. I would wait until her mental age reaches that level.

Trialia

I would say, as someone who's had hypermobility problems from a very early age, that it could be good for her so long as everyone concerned is careful not to let her overextend or overdo it. The earlier you strengthen the muscles enough to hold her joints in place, the easier time she'll have later, but don't overdo it because that could make it worse.

(full disclosure since I haven't seen you (OP) on the Crocks thread: I have hypermobility-type Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (essentially the same thing as HMS but generally more severe) and I've had hypermobility issues since I was only 8 years old, I'm 25 now.)

iced_bun_2

it depends on hopw bad her hms is. does her joints pop out now/?

i used to do judo then went on to kickboxing but then dislocated my knee and took my cruiciate ligament with it and havent walk properly since.

can you not speak to her physion or consultant they will tell you wether they think it is possible. our physio said no so gymnastics and kick boxing for my son due to his joint popping and that he doesnt understand when to stop and would over stretch his already overstretched ligaments.

Js_Other_Half

Ds does martial arts, he was allowed to start after his 4th birthday. If you decide she is ready for it developmentally, it might be worth trying different classes for her?