Why kids who do combat sports at a young age are better prepared for life

BY OLIVIA OJEDA SEPTEMBER 18, 2018

Children partaking in combat sports has been a hot debate for a long time now due to the aggressive nature involved. Many parents believe combat sports such as boxing, Jiu-Jitsu, kickboxing, and karate promote violence and lead to a violent temperament. 

Combat sports, boxing, in particular, has been plagued over many years by medical controversy, in particular, head/brain injuries. It’s important to remember while spectating, that these fighters are trained to not get hit.

The goal of getting in the ring with another boxer is not to get punched in the face, but rather to dodge those blows defensively and prevent the opponent from gaining points.

Unfortunately, not all fights happen in the ring, and at some point, your child will find him/herself in a disadvantageous situation. Truth is these sports have many health benefits for kids and teenagers of all ages.

In a recent study done at the Transilvania University of Brasov, 

“FINDINGS SUGGEST, ENGAGING IN BOXING ACTIVITY DOES NOT DIRECTLY REDUCE VIOLENT INCLINATIONS, BUT IT DOES SO INDIRECTLY. THIS IS DUE TO THE FACT THAT INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED, COMPARED TO OTHER SPORTS ATHLETES, EXHIBIT A LOWER STRESS PREDISPOSITION, WHICH RELATES TO TWO FACTORS OF AGGRESSIVENESS: WRATH/ANGER AND ENMITY.”

Stress release is just one of the many benefits of combat sports.

No matter which way you slice it, physical activity will always trump video games when it comes to keeping healthy at any age. Physical activity helps release stress that growing kids take on from school, growing/changing bodies, and social lives.

Let’s be honest, contemporary society is technology-focused and it can be hard to peel your child away from their cell phone. All of that attention they are giving to a screen can’t be healthy. In sports, such as Jiu-Jitsu, kids are boosting their social skills by grappling with other kids while simultaneously increasing their focus.

Per the Jiu-Jitsu Times via PR Newswire, 

“JIU-JITSU WILL GIVE YOUR CHILD MENTAL CLARITY AND IMPROVE ON THEIR MENTAL MIND-STATE. THE PHYSICAL PART PLAYS A BIG ROLE, BUT THE MENTAL ASPECT IS JUST AS IMPORTANT. YOUR CHILD WILL DEVELOP A SENSE OF DISCIPLINE WHICH RESULTS FROM THE “NEVER GIVE UP” ATTITUDE THAT JIU JITSU INSTILLS IN PEOPLE.”

Gaining self-confidence is yet another characteristic children take on as a result of participating in combat sports. As grown-ups, we all know the trials and tribulations of being a kid and growing up.

Peer pressure and falling in with the “wrong crowd” is just one of the many obstacles children face today. Fitting in is dangerous nowadays from the opioid epidemic to street gangs. Combat sports gives children something to work toward.

Not only do they help to keep kids off the streets, but it also gives them something to be excited about and learn self-discipline in order to succeed. These sports are grueling, make no mistake about it. But they teach kids to keep going, persevere, and never give up.

In addition, kids will learn to eat better as they’re surrounded by people that have the same goals as them, wake up earlier and take initiative to get to bed on time and get rest, do their homework in order to make training, and realize their potential.

In a world full of threats it’s important kids know self-defense. If nothing else, this is the most important point in kids being active in combat sports in case they are ever in the wrong place at the wrong time. 

It’s easy to close your eyes and imagine how you will handle yourself if ever put in a bad situation. Truth be told: it’s a lot different when it actually happens.

Muscle memory and reflex is something that everyone gains from experience training. After a while, you won’t need to think much about countering because your body will do it for you.

If a child that trains in combat sports is ever put in a bad situation, no matter how emotionally shocked they are, the time they spent training will have their back.

The lessons children learn in combat sports will stay with them for a lifetime. As adults, they will find that the lessons learned in combat can be applied to any and all situations they encounter in life.