Boxing

I was wondering if anyone out there with a cardiac pacemaker knows whether I am able to take part in boxing? I've tried to read up on this but all the information that I have seen never really gives me a direct answer. I know contact sports aren't a good idea but it is something I've always wanted to do. Thanks for any help i can get :)

4 Comments

Thanks

by westhead21 - 2013-04-06 05:04:01

No I'm as much a fan of pain as most other people but I don't like being limited in what I can do and it's just something I would like to try. Thank you for the feedback!

training vs sparring

by Tracey_E - 2013-04-06 09:04:12

Training is fine, sparring is not a good idea. Some drs might say definitely don't do it, some might say it's up to you. You will not hurt the pm, it's titanium. What you can do if you take a direct hard hit to it is bruise and it will hurt a whole lot. You skin is not titanium!

Some drs give limitations like how much to lift, pull ups, contact sports, things like that. My dr is pretty liberal, told me to go live my life and forget I have the pm and "just don't do anything stupid." I've tried not to, but some of the things I've done may be considered stupid to a more conservative dr. When it comes down to it, the drs don't have enough of us to really know where to draw the line. It's up to us to be informed then make a decision what level of risk we can live with.

Train yes, Fight No!

by gulliver80 - 2013-04-09 12:04:31

Hi there Westhead

Tracey E is bang on the button!!

Providing your fit to do so, there is nothing at all wrong with you wanting to do some Boxing! have you boxed at all before?!
Sparring and competing should be avoided. Have a read of my profile, i boxed competitively as an amateur for 12 years, havng over 50 fights and whilst I still coach the boys/girls/men/woman (I am 32 now) I have had to take a back seat from the rough and tumble of the ring. Some doctors will say you cant punch a bag, others will say bash ahead - and believe me there is nothing that will ever compare to walking out to the ring (ok guys, some will say there is better things you coud be doing!....) but taking a direct impact shot on your pkm or defib is not going to be pleasant.

The other thing to consider is the person you sparring with - imagine how they would feel if you took a shot and crumpled with Pain, imagine if a lead were to come loose as a result?! The other person would feel terrible and that kind of pressure should not be put on someone else. believe me when i say this, if you go to a gym and get involved withe the training side, circuits, bags, pads - you will have just as much fun - the other thing is you mau even want to get involved with the coaching side, such a good reward when you see a young champ coming through.

Train hard, fight never....
Darren
Scottish bomber....

An alternative

by talldave - 2013-04-20 07:04:04

There is an alternative here. You could do light sparring in a martial art or type of self defense, that is usually never trained at full force.

I have a pm since 2010 and am an advanced practitioner of Krav Maga. In our practice sessions we hit the pads as hard as we can, but during sparring we never go all out since the techniques we are using (elbows to the head, mean uppercuts, groin kicks etc) would do a lot of damage..

That way you could get a feel for what it would be like with a calculated risk.

Full out boxing, kick boxing, muay thai and mma I would really stay away from though. I myself would love to try it too, but it's just not worth the risk.

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Member Quotes

My eight year old son had a pacemaker since he was 6 months old. He does very well, plays soccer, baseball, and rides his bike. I am so glad he is not ashamed of his pacemaker. He will proudly show his "battery" to anyone.