Amit S Sardal is a Mumbai-based Fitness Expert, Educator, and Learning & Development professional specialising in Fitness Education.
With over 15 years of experience, he has contributed to developing the next generation of fitness trainers through teaching at leading fitness academies, developing content and delivering lectures for the postgraduate Master’s in Human Movement programme at Nalanda Nrityakala Mahavidyalaya, affiliated with the University of Mumbai. Amit is an avid proponent of Martial Arts and holds a Green Belt in Judo and is actively pursuing BJJ.
His approach to fitness emphasizes the integration of Strength Training and sustainable lifestyle modifications to promote overall well-being. He brings this philosophy into practice while working with a diverse clientele across age-groups and geographies and keeping an open mind about mental health dialogue. Mail him on sardalamit@gmail.com for a consultation followed by a customised plan.
In Part 1, we explored how the immediate feedback, physical stimulation and continuous problem-solving involved in grappling sports might appeal to some individuals with ADHD.
But what about Autism? Could the same sports appeal to individuals with different psychological and sensory preferences, albeit for entirely different reasons? The objective of this article is not to use exercise as a substitute for appropriate medical or psychological care. Nor is it to disparage any form of exercise or sport. My point is to articulate an anecdotal observation: that some autistic individuals appear to be drawn to grappling based martial arts.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), commonly referred to as autism, is a neurodevelopmental condition, not a mental illness in itself, although individuals may experience associated mental health challenges.
Consider someone who finds everyday social interactions exhausting yet enjoys predictable structures and technical details. Some autistic individuals may appreciate structured learning, repetition, clearly defined rules or particular sensory experiences. Others may find intense physical contact overwhelming.
These are individual differences rather than characteristics shared by everyone with a diagnosis.
Why Might Grappling-Based Martial Arts Appeal to Some Autistic Individuals?
This is where the relationship becomes more interesting. Several characteristics of grappling-based martial arts, including Judo, wrestling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), could align with traits experienced by some autistic people.
A. Deep pressure and physical contact
Grappling sports involve sustained pressure, compression, gripping and body-to-body contact. Whether controlling an opponent on the ground in BJJ, establishing grips in Judo or engaging in close-contact wrestling, physical contact is an integral part of these martial arts.
Some autistic individuals seek deep-pressure stimulation even when they dislike light or unexpected touch. This could make controlled grappling comfortable or rewarding for certain practitioners. Others may find the same experience intensely unpleasant.
B. Predictability, repetition and structure
A typical grappling class may involve demonstrating a technique, practising it repeatedly, then applying it against resistance. Whether learning a Judo throw, a wrestling takedown or a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu submission, the learning process often involves repetition, technical detail and progressively increasing complexity.
This combination of routine, structure and technical learning may appeal to individuals who particularly enjoy systematic learning and specialised interests. This is a plausible explanation, not an established autism-specific preference.
C. Social interaction without constant conversation
Judo, wrestling and BJJ require cooperation, turn-taking, respect for boundaries, communication and responsiveness to a partner. Importantly, much of the interaction is based on an activity with clear objectives rather than unstructured conversation.
This could make social participation more accessible to some autistic people, particularly those who find conventional social interactions challenging, although it is not necessarily easier for everyone.
D. Proprioception and body awareness
Grappling continuously challenges a practitioner to understand limb position, pressure, balance and force. Whether executing a Judo throw, defending a wrestling takedown or maintaining positional control in BJJ, the practitioner must constantly process information about their body and its position in relation to an opponent.
This produces rich proprioceptive input. Some autistic individuals experience differences in body awareness, motor coordination and sensory processing, making this a worthwhile area for research.
An Autistic BJJ Practitioner’s Firsthand Account
One particularly relevant account is Finding Balance on the Mat: Lived Experiences of How Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Transformed the Life of an Autistic ADHD Adult, where Laura Ng describes several perceived benefits: sensory comfort from grappling pressure, improved body awareness, more structured thinking, and an increased sense of stability through regular training.
This is a personal account rather than controlled research, but it directly illustrates the sensory and psychological links being discussed.
What Does the Research Say About Autism and Martial Arts?
As discussed in Part 1, research involving Judo and neurodevelopmental conditions has produced some encouraging findings. Several studies have specifically investigated its effects on autistic children.
- Morales et al. (2022), Frontiers in Psychology: A six-month study involving 40 autistic children found that adapted Judo training improved several motor skills and measures of psychosocial functioning.
- Garcia et al. (2020), Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders: An eight-week Judo programme involving 14 autistic children increased the proportion of time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity from approximately 4% to 8%, with high session attendance.
- Hosokawa et al. (2024), International Journal of Sport and Health Science: A scoping review of 22 studies examining martial arts interventions for autistic individuals reported encouraging findings across social, emotional, cognitive and physical functioning, while emphasising the need for higher-quality research.
- Liu et al. (2026), BMC Public Health: A systematic review and network meta-analysis of 45 studies involving 1,479 participants found that martial arts ranked particularly highly for improving social communication in autistic individuals. Other activities performed better for certain outcomes, including stereotyped behaviours and motor skills.
The existing research is encouraging, particularly concerning motor development, social communication and psychosocial functioning. The emerging evidence suggests that martial arts may offer meaningful benefits for some autistic individuals, particularly when the training environment and teaching methods are adapted to their needs and preferences.
Which Martial Art? Judo, Wrestling or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ)?
Much of the available research specifically involving autism and grappling has been conducted on Judo. Judo is a grappling-based martial art, sharing several fundamental characteristics with Wrestling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ).
All three sports involve balance, grips, resistance from an opponent, continuous problem-solving and rapid responses to changing situations. It is therefore reasonable to assume similar benefits might extend to other grappling sports.
Two points to consider:
- Much of the existing autism-specific research on grappling has focused on Judo, although some preliminary research also exists on Jiu-Jitsu.
- Anecdotally, autistic practitioners appear to be drawn to BJJ.
Different Minds, Different Workouts
Across these two articles, we have explored how the same activity might engage individuals for very different reasons.
For some people with ADHD, grappling might offer immediate feedback, intense stimulation and continual opportunities for problem-solving.
For some autistic individuals, the attraction might lie in structured learning, technical complexity, deep-pressure stimulation or social interaction centred around a shared activity. Some individuals may enjoy the deep pressure and proprioceptive stimulation involved in grappling. Others may appreciate its technical complexity or the opportunity for structured social interaction without constant conversation. For others, the same experiences may be uncomfortable or unappealing.
This World Mental Health Day, perhaps we should reconsider how we approach exercise recommendations. Instead of asking which exercise is best for a particular diagnosis, perhaps we should begin by asking which activity brings out the best in the individual.
For some, it could be strength training, swimming, running, Yoga or something entirely different. For some, the answer may be grappling based martial arts.
DISCLAIMER: The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician, psychiatrist, or other qualified mental health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read here. Reliance on any information provided in this article is solely at your own risk.
