Can someone whose had multiple strokes learn self defense or martial arts?

Question

If someone has had multiple strokes, can they learn self defense or martial arts of any kind? I know someone who has suffered three strokes in total, one in 2014, and the other two in 2018. Can this person take up/learn self defense or martial arts as a hobby in case they need to defend themselves? It has been nearly one year since their last stroke.

Answer 1

This is a question only a doctor can answer correctly. You should ALWAYS get a physical and consult a doctor before taking up a physically demanding activate including martial arts.



I'm not a doctor and the following are my summations: to be able to defend yourself effectively, there is a minimal state of health you must have. In other words, you have to have a certain level of fitness. To train for real world self-defense requires you to train as realistic as possible and this means sparring which means risk of being hit, thrown, and whatever techniques used by the martial art you train under. In my time, I have had bloody noses, hit in the jaw, thrown (hard) to the ground, kicked in various parts of my body and suffered injuries from head to toe. For someone who has a history of 3 strokes in 4 years, I would be very concerned about any hit to his head or him being thrown even onto a matted floor.



Again, to be safe ask the doctor.

Answer 2

If someone has stroke they should get psychiatric help

Answer 3

They probably can but they should consult with their doctor first and also get from them a release form to train in martial arts which also outlines any restrictions. I would think that no head trauma or contact sparring of any kind would be one of those restrictions. That does not mean the individual could not still train in something though. Just to add I had a similar situation where an older client had a similar issue and so I requested a doctors release. He trained for about a year but then remarked that things did not feel right health wise. He said he was going back to his doctor who then ran some tests that showed nothing. I then made him get a second release form and a week or so after he returned he had a massive stroke at my gym and died. Luckily I had both release forms from his doctor and that saved me a serious lawsuit. So I would expect some restrictions and any smart, reputable coach or instructor will take those into account if they take him on as a student.

Answer 4

There are various levels of strokes. A  major stroke can leave you incapable of even simple physical endeavors. Physical self defense would be impossible.

Answer 5

Absolutely. Just don't expect them to be in Kung Fu movies.