Arthritis is a condition that affects joints and mobility and can have a debilitating impact on your ability to participate in sports. It may seem that arthritis would mean participation in a combat sport like kickboxing is out of the question. However, it's possible that kickboxing is not only all right for those suffering from arthritis, it might even help alleviate symptoms.
Arthritis Basics
Arthritis is a condition where you suffer inflammation in one of more joints, causing stiffness and pain in the afflicted area. Osteoarthritis, the kind of arthritis most people think of when they say "arthritis," is usually caused by simple wear and tear on the tissues that protect your joints. According to health resource website MayoClinic.com, treatments for arthritis generally focus on alleviating pain and increasing -- or at least preserving -- range of motion.
Kickboxing Basics
Kickboxing is a combat sport and can be described as a halfway point between Western boxing and Eastern full-contact karate. Practice in kickboxing involves vigorous cardio and resistance training, as well as regular sessions practicing punches on several different kinds of bags. Kickboxing competition means getting into a ring and being punched and kicked by a trained opponent for up to 30 minutes at a time.
Risks of Kickboxing With Arthritis
If you suffer from arthritis, flexing afflicted joints or impact on those joints can be extremely painful. Since kickboxing consists almost entirely of flexing joints and giving or receiving impact, this can make kickboxing a miserable experience for people who suffer from arthritis -- especially in the hands or knees. Since arthritis is often the result of wear and tear on the joints, it can also exacerbate symptoms by placing even more stress on the joints that are already compromised.
Benefits of Kickboxing With Arthritis
According to Dr. Miriam Nelson in "Strong Women Stay Young," exercising the joints that are afflicted with arthritis can slow degeneration and relieve symptoms. It doesn't rebuild deteriorated tissue, but it does strengthen the muscles that support that joint -- making the joint function more smoothly and with less pain. Kickboxing is an excellent full-body workout and could potentially strengthen afflicted joints.
Advisability
If you have mild arthritis, especially in joints other than your hands and knees, it's not only possible to participate in kickboxing, but it might even be advisable. To prevent further degeneration, however, you might be better off participating in fitness kickboxing training -- which will give you the exercise benefits without the explosive impact of sparring and bag work.
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