Injuries

Hi Paul, I only practise Enpi Kata's opening movements on a matted flooring. If not I go slower and dont let my knee touch the floor (Self Preservation over style purity). 

As far as I am aware, no techniques in karate should cause a major injury if done in the proper way. Surely the past masters (who trained a lot harder than the majority of clubs out there in my view) all lived long and as far as I am aware healthy lives themselves.

One of my views I instil into my students is to never "injure" the person you are working with. So when you think of Sparring scenarios, you see the need for protective equipment. I do say injure, instead of hurt however, as their has to be some element of physicality for it to be worthwhile.

I know a lot of people that overtrain, even when injured and then wonder why the injuries never get any better. I include myself in that one. At 42 I am getting around to the realisation that sometimes your body says no for a reason.

Dave Moore wrote:

I know a lot of people that overtrain, even when injured and then wonder why the injuries never get any better. I include myself in that one. At 42 I am getting around to the realisation that sometimes your body says no for a reason.

Some fool is currently going through that right now, so I hear what you're saying Dave.

Dave Moore wrote:

At 42 I am getting around to the realisation that sometimes your body says no for a reason.

I recall being told that crossing that barrier into your 30s means that you have to listen to your body when it speaks because it does not take kindly to being ignored. I think the last 10 years have validated that wisdom.

I don’t think that means we need to train with any less intensity, but it does mean recovery time (generally and from injury) is longer and training needs to be a little smarter. The 20 year old me recovered a lot faster … but I’d like to think he wasn’t as smart as I am now … we’ll see what they 60 year old me thinks? ;-)

All the best,

Iain

I'm 59 and at this age I do not want any injuries. To long to recover and the chance of complications is greater. I listen to my body now and train on a regular schedule but not as intense as times past.

I'll be 50 in a few months and I've noticed the effects of aging, not so much in recover time, but movement wise.  For instance some of the pivoting movements found in Chinto and Kusanku really put strain on my knees. I try to avoid them, or else practice the kata in a way that that dosen't happen. Likewise my running days are over with but where squats, deadlifts, cleans and oylmpic style lifts are concerned it's not a problem. Personally I feel that a lot of the aging effects can be overcome with good diet and a healthy lifestyle. SIx beers a night, a bag of chips and a two pack habit (cigarettes) will take its toll faster than fighting and aging combined.

Mike R