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Defense Against Aging
Baby boomers bent on getting back into shape may want to give their love handles a karate chop: A new study finds the martial arts to be safe, effective exercise for 40- and 50-somethings.
"If you want to do something that's fun, different and good for self-defense -- and good for long-term self-defense against disease -- do the martial arts," says study author and physical therapist Dr. Peter Douris, of the New York Institute of Technology in Old Westbury, N.Y.
His findings appear in the March 25 issue of the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
To read the entire article and check out some great links on how to start up a new fitness program for yourself go to: http://www.ajc.com/health/content/shared-auto/healthnews/exer/518082.html
Here are Coquille TKD we agree wholeheartedly with Dr Douris' findings, including the idea that adults up into their 50's can generally start into the martial arts without any concessions being made for their age or ability. That is assuming of course, relative good health. To see if you might need to ask your doctor about starting a new fitness program answer the questions. http://www.aarp.org/health/triumph/Articles/a2003-05-16-safety.html A yes answer to any of them means a question for your doctor, not an assumption you're not able to start a fitness program. One of our students recently answered "yes" to one of them only to have her doctor URGE her to start our regular adult class immediately.
If you're in your 30's and 50's with no health problems or old injuries we recommend you consider Taekwondo. We are fully capaple of altering and augmenting the curriculum to suit your needs. We have many seniors in our classes. If on the other hand, if you or your doctor feels it is too strenuous, try tai chi first and build up to a more strenuous workout. Who knows, Tai Chi might be what you were really looking for!
What a modified TKD class can include:
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Last Updated June 18, 2015 by Karen Saxton