Is it bad practice to use the super class as a parameter.

For my games state check I’ve decided to use the super class LifeForm instead of writing more lines to test for baddie and player class which both extend LifeForm(for the parameter)?

The State check test if the player/baddie is asleep, poisoned, etc it also counts down the timer of the HealthState class which controls what each state does.

I thought about make a class for each aliment but I figure that would be more need for a bigger project.

Thanks for the information in advance