Page 53 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 132
P. 53
www.sportsenergynews.com Issue #132 January 2024 53
Continued from page 52
KARATE KOMMENTS
Lawrence River in forty-five years.
The visit to the bat caves was the
highlight of the Adventure, and
although ‘white-nose syndrome’ By Jim Riddell,
has limited these visits, Dr Brian
Hickey (the bat-man at the Institute,) Seaway Karate Club
provides a fascinating talk about
his research on bats and his bat
adventures. Am I too Old to Start Karate Classes?
The Adventure in the Environment he question “Am I too old to begin taking karate?” is a question
is open to students who are sixteen Photo Submitted Tthat we instructors would probably answer differently today than
years old, who have completed two our predecessors would have back in the 1970’s and ‘80’s.
years of high school science, and When I first started training in Judo back in the mid-seventies, most
who are interested in Environmental
martial art students were teens and adults under thirty years of age. By
Science. Each student must be the time that I took up karate in the eighties, the age parameters had
sponsored by a Rotary Club; the onerous!)
widened in both directions. It was now common to see parents learning
limit per session is eight students, The Rotary Club of Cornwall the sport along with their children. Today many people in their fifties,
and the sessions are offered in the Sunrise is proud of this Adventure
sixties, and beyond enjoy the benefits of martial arts. As we age, our
second week of September (when initiative and the opportunity it has
endurance and cardiovascular fitness decreases, our metabolism slows,
the river water is still warm, and provided to students from across the
and muscular strength and endurance declines. For many people much
the academics have not become too Rotary district.
of the ageing that they see, and feel, is due mostly to a prolonged period
of inactivity rather than being the effects of ‘Father Time.’ A karate
program with a moderate intensity level can reverse, and therefore
slow down, the ageing process considerably. Working drills on focus
pads, shields, and paddles, along with kata, self-defense, and specialty
training, will provide a good mix of aerobic and anaerobic activity.
This full body workout will tone the muscles and boost the metabolism.
The body senses that more calories are required to sustain these toned
muscles, which will increase the metabolism. Karate training combined
with a balanced, sensible diet can help to achieve and maintain a proper
body weight.
Karate training involves many small steps and progressions. As a student
advances, a feeling of accomplishment comes with added confidence. A
sense of camaraderie develops over time with the people in your karate
class thereby increasing your circle of friends. Traditional karate is used
not only for self –defence purposes, but also as a means of attaining or
regaining health and fitness. As we age our joints tend to stiffen up a
bit and our muscles shorten. Simple, gentle stretching using functional
flexibility can delay or even prevent this from occurring. Functional
flexibility means stretching the muscles in the same fashion as you would
use them to execute a technique. This will increase the range of motion
of your techniques and help to improve your skill level. A few other
benefits of training in karate as we age is that it helps enhance posture,
balance, strength, mobility, endurance, and coordination.
If you are curious about karate, do not be afraid to give it a try. Training
at your own pace, you may find yourself gaining the confidence and
skills to enjoy participating in your new sport for years to come.
Karate Quote: If you really want to do it, you will find a way. If not, you
Photo Submitted will find an excuse.
