Getting older.

[marie curie]

I am a student about 16 months away from a degree in biomedical engineering, so I've studied all about biomechanics and joint stress. I've also studied a lot of cases for joint replacement and therapy, which we use to design replacement parts and prosthetics, and let me just say that yes, the body of a serious practioner of martial arts will, in general, break down the body (particularly the skeletal system) at a faster rate than that of a non-martial artist. That being said, the benefits that good workouts give against cardiovascular disease alone is significant. The fitness from training prevents diabeties and chemical imbalances, as well as many other health issues. On top of that there are the personal benifits of discipline and self-esteem, so it really seems to be a trade off just like everything else in life.

[Pacificshore]

Hmm...lets see, well my right knee is worse than my left. My lower back kills me after years of being thrown around. As of right now, I'm having a shoulder/neck problem, although I'm not sure how that happened. Fact is the years of training is starting to show it's signs. What's helped is the fact that I see my Chiropractor once a month, and I work on recognizing the signals my body sends to my brain saying.....hey, you ain't 20 anymore

[kivikala]

Age is a wonderful thing, I wish it on all young people. Let us martial artists age the best way we can, but never give up. This is the true strength in budo.

[shotochem]

Its not the age, Its the mileage......

I could use a new suspension, tires and a good tune up right about now.

[shogeri]

It's not the age for me either, it's the poor maintenance, along with the absence of a warranty.

[IcemanSK]

I've looked into one of those German-engineered racing spines, but I've been told they're hard to come by in the states.

Martial arts sure does help rack up the mileage. Its been good for me. But I fear the day when I'll have to take up Aikido because my body won't allow me to do a hard style anymore.

[patusai]

Some of the old masters taught things differently to students who had physical limitations. Talk with your sensei

[Uechi Kid]

Well here's an up date. On December 2 2005 I get a new knee. Doc says no more Karate. At least the hard side of karate. Time to work on those finesse techniques.

[cleung]

I am 44 and still actively compete in senior divisions. I have friends in their 50s who still compete. The good thing about martial arts is that the activities and styles are wide range enough to suit anybody of all ages. Sure us senior guys can't do wushu or extreme forms. I can't do straight kicks very well after surgeries on both knees so I have modified my own martial arts. I don't do much jump kicks anymore. I can still do nice circular kicks and I do more weapons forms too. You can find ways to suit your own changing body and still do martial arts, maybe not in the same way as before but at least you can still do martial arts in your life.

[h2whoa]

I think it is time to let the kiddies know that if they get injured now.....take the time to recover, or you will have to stop when you get to the good stuff...like third or fourth dan,,,where in my humble opinion is where the fun begins!!

Stretch well, and remember you only have one body and unlike playstation, you only get one go...no reset button. take care of yopurself!!