Why Wrestling is Not a Suitable Sport for Children?

Disadvantages and Risks of Wrestling for Children

Wrestling is one of the oldest sports that has been practiced in various forms by people around the world since ancient times. It can be said that there is hardly any tribe, city, or village where people are not familiar with wrestling. It can confidently be said that wrestling and physical strength testing have been important since the earliest days of human existence on Earth. Typically, wrestling was practiced in leisure time or in wars as a natural and instinctive activity. In wrestling, there are no weapons involved; instead, it is the physical strength and abilities of the individual that lead them to victory. Many parents send their children to wrestling classes hoping that their child will learn the values of sportsmanship and honor and be introduced to a traditional sport. Although wrestling has many benefits for children, one cannot overlook its drawbacks and the injuries that children may face while practicing this sport.

Wrestling requires minimal sports facilities, and it is easy for anyone to participate. During adolescence, the body weight is light due to a lack of fat, and the body is highly flexible. However, due to the nature of wrestling, the body undergoes a lot of stretching during training and competition, leading to a risk of muscle strains, especially in the back of the legs and groin area. Sprains and twists, especially in the ankles, which may lead to tendon injuries, are also common in wrestlers.

Bruising in Various Parts of the Body

Another problem faced by wrestlers is bruising in different parts of the body. Since wrestlers are constantly in physical contact with each other, pushing and slamming each other on the mat, this leads to bruising.

Skin Diseases and Fungal Infections

If a wrestler’s clothes are not new or clean, or if they haven't taken a shower before the practice, or if one of the wrestlers has a skin disease or a fungal infection, there is an increased chance of spreading skin diseases or fungal infections due to the frequent contact between wrestlers.

Head and Face Injuries

The head and face of wrestlers are highly vulnerable to serious injury. Strong blows to the head can cause severe damage, leading to dizziness and nausea.

Knee Injuries in Wrestlers

The occurrence of knee injuries in wrestlers is high (similar to football), though the severity is usually lower. Knee injuries, especially those involving the meniscus (particularly the outer part), are more common in wrestling than in other sports due to the twisting movements and excessive bending of the knees.

For children aged 10 to 15, sports like volleyball, basketball, and handball are more suitable as they can promote height growth and body stability.

For martial arts and sports like wrestling, it is better to consider children aged 15 and older.

After the age of 15, children are less likely to experience growth-related issues and their bodies become more stable, providing better protection from potential injuries.

The Ideal Age to Start Wrestling

If, despite all the disadvantages, you are determined to choose wrestling, there are a few things you should consider. Children between 10 and 15 years old should engage in sports like volleyball, basketball, or handball, as these sports are less likely to cause injuries and positively impact the child's height and growth. Therefore, parents should be aware that wrestling can be chosen after the age of 15. However, before that, they can help prepare their child physically with the aforementioned sports. For all martial arts sports, such as wrestling, it is advisable for children to start after the age of 15. The reason for this recommendation is that after the age of 15, the child’s body is nearly fully developed, and wrestling can no longer cause severe harm. Moreover, the child's body will have the necessary strength and endurance to handle physical contact.