ITSUKO Posted April 3, 2004 Posted April 3, 2004 At my dojo, I notice a large number of kids (9-14yrs old) shorter than the average height. The majority of these kids started karate as early as 5. I am not sure if there is any correlation but little concern for my kids. LIke gymnasts, most of them are short.
TheDevilAside Posted April 3, 2004 Posted April 3, 2004 What exactly are you getting at? Are you afraid that taking martial arts will stunt your growth? Are you concerned that your children may be too tall to train properly...? I'm not quite clear on what you're trying to say. But it's late, I'll read this thread tomorrow and see if it makes more sense to me. "If you're going through hell, keep going." - Sir Winston Churchill
White Warlock Posted April 3, 2004 Posted April 3, 2004 It is not often you will find a parent who will put his/her overlarge child into a martial arts school. "When you are able to take the keys from my hand, you will be ready to drive." - Shaolin DMV TestIntro
Shorinryu Sensei Posted April 3, 2004 Posted April 3, 2004 I've noticed this also, that not just kids, but adults as well in the majority of karate schoosl I've visited are short. Perhaps this might be because I'm 6'6" tall (198cm), and just about EVERYBODY is short ot me? [/b] My nightly prayer..."Please, just let me win that PowerBall Jackpot just once. I'll prove to you that it won't change me!"
ITSUKO Posted April 3, 2004 Author Posted April 3, 2004 My kids are at normal weight and height. They are very talented in karate and both started around 5. I realize that practicing karate is a long term commitment. I am just not sure if practicing 7-9 years before reaching their puberty will affect their natural growing rate.
Shorinryu Sensei Posted April 3, 2004 Posted April 3, 2004 My kids are at normal weight and height. They are very talented in karate and both started around 5. I realize that practicing karate is a long term commitment. I am just not sure if practicing 7-9 years before reaching their puberty will affect their natural growing rate. My perspective on that. I've been in the arts for nearly 30 years now and have taught kids as young as 5 during that time. I also used to be an elementary school teacher for 11 years. I see no reasoning or rational for worrying about martial arts practice stunting their growth or being harmful, other than it can be a vigorous workout and there is the potential for injury...but no more than soccer, football and such. My nightly prayer..."Please, just let me win that PowerBall Jackpot just once. I'll prove to you that it won't change me!"
aefibird Posted April 5, 2004 Posted April 5, 2004 Maybe kids in martial arts classes are short because they're just naturally short, nothing to do with training. Parents of larger children probably dont feel the need to send their kids to martial arts because they feel that (because of their size) they can probably handle themselves anyway. I can't see how doing martial arts could stunt growth in anyway. Cause injuries, yes, but restrict growth?? Hmm... "Was it really worth it? Only time and death may ever tell..." The Beautiful South - The Rose of My CologneSheffield Steelers!
Rich_2k3 Posted April 5, 2004 Posted April 5, 2004 I agree with aefibird, however at my dojo I dont see this problem everyone seems to be at least average height and many of the ppl at my dojo are very tall. Karate will not stunt growth in any way whatsoever. In fact sports like karate, along with soccer, tennis, swimming etc are good for a growing child. By keeping fit when growing ur child will stay in proportion for their size ie. they wont be a "lanky" build. U see ppl who are very tall and very bony, this is because when they were younger they will have been growing upwards but not putting the exercise in to grow outwards (increaseing overall mass) and staying in proportion. Basically if ur child does a good amount of exercise (karate is a gr8 choice) and eats a healthy diet they will grow strong and in proportion to their height, no matter how tall they are. Plz remember that only extensive weight lifting stunts growth and martial arts training does not even come close to the intensity of weight training. If martial arts stunted growth like weight training then u woud be seeing the positive side of weight training which is a huge increase in muscle mass, this cannot be achieved through martial arts training. "When my enemy contracts I expand and when he expands I contract" - Bruce Lee
Ironberg Posted April 5, 2004 Posted April 5, 2004 I didn't get back into the martial arts until I already grew like crazy after the start of my puberty. Therefore, I'm an extremely tall (6'4'') lanky guy - not very muscular. Before I started Karate, I was the same height and weighed 140lbs (not muscular at all). Now, I'm well over 160, but still don't feel so good about myself. My torso and legs are well muscular, but my arms are kinda pathetic. I don't see any reason why Karate would stunt growth, why would you just want to become a scronny sucker like me? "An enlightened man would offer a weary traveler a bed for the night, and invite him to share a civilized conversation over a bowl of... Cocoa Puffs."
WhiteBelt Posted April 5, 2004 Posted April 5, 2004 My GF had to go into physiotherapy recently and her therapist was trying to tell her that karate is bad for kids. It stunts their growth, and damages knees or the spine... Whether you choose to believe that is up to you. I'll have to remember to keep my future kids from running, playing sports, and just keep them inside where it's safe.... in a bubble.
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