top of page

Kickboxing and martial arts

BLIND, DEAF, & DEAFBLIND

BLIND

ADAPTATIONS

  • Because of the dynamic nature of the warm-ups, it is wise to give the client who is blind ample room to perform these warm-ups. This will allow the client to warm up without fear of colliding with another client. If possible, allow the client to work near a wall, or some sort of object to line up with, so they can get their bearings.

  • It is important to make sure the client knows what is going on during class. Talk through each movement, and allow them to feel how you are performing it. You can also ask if you can move them into the correct positions. (Never grab a person who is blind without asking permission.)

  • For sparring: With a client who is totally blind, three punching bags can be set up. One to the right, one in the middle, and one to the left. The instructor and client can come up with a routine that calls for the client to hit each bag. This routine will include all of the kicks and hits that a sparring match would contain. To work on speed, or reflex, the instructor can change up the routine by calling out directions such as: “left bottom,” “middle top,” or “left top.”

  • A client with some sight may be able to spar with a partner. It would help the client to be in a well-lit area, and for the partner to be wearing brightly colored clothing.

DEAF

ADAPTATIONS

  • If an interpreter is not available, use written or visual materials to give direction. Write out the warm up, then perform each exercise and movement required during the class.

  • When giving corrections or cues that you may not be able to write out, be sure to face your client giving them the opportunity to read your lips. You can also use tactile cues to help them understand what they should correct. For example, you can move or touch your client (with permission) to help them feel the movement patterns and muscle groups they should be using during this activity.

  • During sparring, if the instructor needs to give directions, it would be helpful to use cue cards. Make sure the individual giving direction is in the client’s line of vision before demonstrating movements or giving cues

DEAFBLIND

ADAPTATIONS

  • ​When teaching punching/kicking combinations (especially for sparring), give both visual and verbal instructions and demonstrations. Ask clients to repeat the movements after you to ensure understanding and safe performance.

  • When teaching punching/kicking combinations, it may be helpful to repeat descriptions and demonstrations of the sequence of movements often, until the participant learns them.

    • Also see the adaptations for blind and deaf

  • Create visual or tactile markings to help clients gauge proximity to objects and sizes of objects. A piece of colored tape, Velcro lines, etc. can allow the client to know their proximity to sparring partners and equipment such as punching bags.

  • Also see the adaptations for blind and deaf, as they may apply to deafblind clients as well.

Intellectual & Neurological

Provide a point of contact- Every individual starts at different levels of strength, mobility, and proprioception when beginning martial arts/ boxing. Depending on the person’s mobility and strength, it might be easier to start with more levels of contact. Whether it be a partner, the wall, the floor, a chair, etc. points of contact allow individuals to participate in the activity with a lowered risk for injury. Someone who is unstable, for example, will benefit from practicing movements with their feet planted on the floor versus not practicing at all because they have limited flight capabilities.

DOWN SYNDROME

ADAPTATIONS

  • Provide targets- Whether it is tape on the floor or a sticker on the punching bag, targets give clients something specific to focus on and awareness on body positioning. Giving specific cues to the individual target will allow the coach to see if the client needs to work on balance and mobility. It’ll also be a way to ensure cues are concise and comprehensible.

  • Effective Cueing- All clients learn differently, but coaches/ instructor should want to help all their clients learn as much as they can.

    • For someone with down syndrome, providing a visual example before the exercise is a great way to begin coaching. Long, multi-step cues may be hard to follow, so those hsould be concise and focus on the main objective of the exercise or movement.

    • Separate each movement and/or step in the exercise into individual cues to make sure all clients can follow along.

CEREBRAL PALSY

ADAPTATIONS

  • Exercise Partner- Having an exercise partner not only increases motivation through encouragement and competition, but it also provides a way to ensure the safest training for the individual with cerebral palsy. If the individual is able to stand independently but balance is still an area of concern, their partner can hold onto their martial arts belts while they perform. This strategy can also be used if there are core exercises like planks or sit-ups to provide assistance.

  • Exercise Partner- Having an exercise partner not only increases motivation through encouragement and competition, but it also provides a way to ensure the safest training for the individual with cerebral palsy. If the individual is able to stand independently but balance is still an area of concern, their partner can hold onto their martial arts belts while they perform. This strategy can also be used if there are core exercises like planks or sit-ups to provide assistance.

PARKINSON'S DISEASE

ADAPTATIONS

Using foam exercise mats- BOSU balls are effective tools to use when working on balance, but foam exercise mats are good alternatives if an individual needs more support. There is a greater sense of stability because the surface is larger and more flat than that of BOSU balls. One could be used alone, or stacked upon each other for a greater challenge.

 

Equipment: foam exercise mats

EPILEPSY

ADAPTATIONS

Understand individual triggers-Seizures can be triggered by different things. It will vary person to person but look for signs of dizziness and unresponsiveness during vigorous activity. Most people know their triggers, so just listen and learn!

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS 

ADAPTATIONS

Tai Chi is a great option for someone with Multiple Sclerosis. Tai Chi is very low impact and puts minimal stress on muscles and joints. If the individual uses a wheelchair or has trouble balancing without support, Tai Chi can be done seated. Due to the “slow flow” manner of the activity, there are not many adaptations to be made for the individual to participate.

​

However, these are some potential considerations:

  • Warm-up beforehand to prevent tightness and spasticity. This can be as simple as stretching ankles and wrists.

  • An individual who has difficulty balancing or standing on their own may need to do the exercise seated.  This should not change the integrity of the arm movements or mental focus required in Tai Chi. A kneeling chair is a great option.

  • Much of martial arts is mental focus and meditation which requires no physical activity at all! If an individual needs to take a break they can still maintain the meditative process of the practice.

  • Deep breathing helps increase lung capacity and can also help keep the body in a rhythm when exerting oneself.

  • If the movements become overwhelming or loss of control in the muscles occurs, go slower! Tai Chi is the perfect exercise to slow things down to an appropriate pace.

Some types of martial arts involve more impact and force than Tai Chi. These activities should not be avoided but ability level and potential for injury should be kept in mind.

  • For example, kickboxing should not be avoided altogether but similar considerations should take place (avoid overheating, try sitting, etc).

MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY

ADAPTATIONS

Martial arts focuses on functional training for control, balance, core strength; it is a personal practice meant for physical, mental and spiritual development.

​

  • Perform martial arts movements on knees. A kneeling chair can also be a useful tool to aid in performing moves to the fullest extent.

  • Verbally describe actions. Martial Arts is a mental focus so remembering the moves can be just as important as physical executing the movements.

  • Falling is a concern for many martial artists including martial artists with muscular dystrophy. Using pillows and bean bags can lessen the impact of a fall.

  • Breathing is important with martial arts. Breathing exercises can be performed lying down and not only help with martial arts movements but also relaxation of mind and body.

  • A belt can be used for more than signifying level of expertise. Hand the center of a belt to the student and have the instructor hold each end. The amount of help can be adjusted depending on how much the student relies on the belt and how taut the instructor holds the belt.

AUTISM

VESTIBULAR ADAPTATIONS

​

  • Focus on strengthening balance or core

    • Strap gait belt around the waist for the instructor to hold in back to help maintain balance and ensure safety, assists with the performance of correct movement

    • Equipment: Gait Belt

COMMUNICATION ADAPTATIONS

​​

  • Adapt the way the instructor gives instructions so that individual can better interpret and understand

  • Use short, concise instructions

  • Use lots of visuals and demonstrations to show the individual the technique of movement

AUDITORY ADAPTATIONS

​

  •  Individuals with autism can be over or under sensitive to particular sounds. An individual with autism may respond to loud noises by covering their ears, humming or singing to self, running/walking away from the loud area, talking loudly over the noise, and not responding to verbal prompts. All of these are examples in response to auditory overload.

    • Use a soothing voice instead of hard shouts during the execution of technique

    • Provide headphones so that external noise may be blocked out

  • Equipment: headphones

PROPRIOCEPTION ADAPTATIONS

​

  • Assist with punching/hitting correct targets

  • Bright duct tape use can be placed upon targets, and punching bags to indicate where the individual needs to hit/punch/kick. Bright colors to help an individual see clearer were to hit their target and be aware of where their body is in space and how different body parts are moving

  • ​​Equipment: Duct Tape

PHYSICAL DISABILITIES

ADAPTATIONS

  • An alternative to using a punching bag, could be an inflatable balloon hanging from twine that is suspended from the ceiling or any high stable surface. This will be used for kicking or punching, so a person’s prosthetic will not be damaged.

  • Another alternative to a punching bag, could be a reflex bag with adjustable heights or a desktop reflex bag. Adjustable heights will allow individuals to practice with or without lower limb amputations. It is also a nice option for upper body prosthetics (if worn) because it's cushioned. For persons with quadriplegia, the desktop reflex bag is useful in practicing punches as it is placed securely at upper body level upon a table or desk.

  • For beginners, a regular latex balloon can be used.

  • The next advancement would be a punching balloon.

  • An inflatable punching bag can be used for the next advancement.

bottom of page