Exercise
Karate training
I have surprised many patients and myself to have taken up Karate as my regular sport over the last two years. Modern Karate is separated into two catergories: Kata (forms, patterns) and Kumite (free sparring or fighting). Kumite is of course not recommended for patients or the faint hearted like me. The two most important katas of modern karate are both as slow as or even slower than most Tai Chi movements. The breathing techniques required in these katas are similar to basic Qigong (氣功). The added value of Karate is the practice of speedand power in addition to the coordination, strength, endurance, flexibility, balanceand cardio-vascular benefits gained from Tai Chi. Practicing speed and power may certainly risk more injuries. It is however essential for the practice of fall prevention for all age. Most falls happen unexpectedly, suddenly and very quickly. Most balance exercises we perform in the gym or in Tai Chi can certainly improve our static (no movement) balance to help preventing falls. Dynamic (with movement) balance when we are moving helps to pull the body from or during the fall or to position the limbs and body on impact may save us from more severe injuries. The ability to quickly re-position the limbs and body requires repetitive speed and power training to minimize the reaction time needed. The more quickly/speedy we can reaction, the more we can prevent or recover from a fall. The prerequisite of speed and power training is proper warm up including stretches of the whole body. My advice to patients is to mobilize and stretch as much as possible whenever and wherever possible, particularly before (warm up), during (frequent breaks) and after (cool down) the activities. I stretch for more than an hour before heading to the karate training dojo. I normally arrive 20 minutes early to stretch a little more before joining the class when 15 minutes' stretch is normal before formal training. I will not recommend patients who are not willing to stretch and mobilize enough for such dynamic balance training, as injury will then be inevitable!
Luck LI
Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist
Luck LI
Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist