For Your Health
In these
times, with people living longer, one of the main concerns is with “quality of
life”. Of what use is an extra twenty or thirty years of life; if, it is to be
spent as a prisoner in a broken down disease ridden body, or, lonely and bored?
“A martial art is for life”, has been said by generations of Masters. Many practitioners have reached the age of 90 and above; and, all are still
practicing; as are hundreds in their 70’s and 80’s. In the Orient, it is
recognized as suitable for all ages. One does not have to change “styles” as he
ages; because, a good martial art adapts with the practitioner as the body
ages.
Moderate
exercises (epitomized by the kata
routines) strengthen the core body muscles. Optimally, when the arms, legs, and
neck move these core muscles keep the body stable. This, in turn, allows the
extremities to function more efficiently. They, also, provide strength for
proper posture, internal organ placement and protection. Core body strength
helps stave off balance problems associated with the aging process. Doctors have
begun to link shoulder, knee and ankle injuries to weak core muscles.
The exercises stretch the muscles and nerves, giving suppleness and flexibility
to ward off injury. They massage the internal organs, helping in digestion,
elimination, and proper functioning of all the bodily systems. They stretch the
blood vessels allowing better circulation for oxygenation, removal of waste
products, feeding and repair of the body’s cells. They strengthen the endocrine
system promoting better flow. They cause strengthening of the bones through
increased bone density. And all of these cause the brain to function with
greater strength and clarity; which, in turn, produces greater disease fighting
ability and a higher capacity for intellectual achievement.
Modern research, collectively involving more than 320,000 people, has credited
moderate exercise, such as these, with 18 to 84 percent reductions in the risk
of heart disease and 18 to 50 percent reductions in the overall mortality rate!
A few examples: in a Seattle study, an hour a week appeared to lower the risk of
sudden cardiac death by 73 percent. In the Netherlands, men who did it for an
hour a week enjoyed a 29 percent lower mortality rate than sedentary men, and in
the United States at least an hour a day reduced the risk of heart disease by 82
percent over a 10 year period.
These
moderate exercises can also help fight hypertension, lowering blood pressure as
much as 20 points. They are an essential partner with diet for those who need to
lose weight. And they can help reduce the risk of stroke (by 21 to 34 percent),
diabetes (16 to 50 percent), dementia (15 to 50 percent), fractures (40
percent), and colon cancer (30 to 40 percent). If that’s not enough for you,
consider that it is the only known way to slow the aging process!
In a world-first, a team from the WA Centre for Health and Ageing (WACHA) based at the Western Australian Institute for Medical Research (WAIMR) has shown that regular physical activity can lead to a lasting improvement in memory function. The WA-based trial results were published in the prestigious Journal of the American Medical Association. (Sept. 2nd 2008)
WACHA director
Professor Leon Flicker said people over the age of 50 could pro-actively prevent
memory deterioration by joining in simple and easy exercises each day. “What our
trial tells us is that older people who take up some form of aerobic exercise
for as little as 20 minutes a day will be more likely to remember things like
shopping lists, family birthdays and friend's names.” “People don't have to run
a marathon to get the benefits – it's as simple as doing some forms of simple
activity like walking or dancing, every day for around 20 minutes.” “The results
of this trial are very encouraging and, a great step forward in helping older
people to improve their memory and potentially delay the progression of dementia
which can eventually lead to Alzheimer's disease.” Today, one in four for people
over the age of 85 have moderate to severe dementia.
“What's
interesting about this study is that physical activity doesn't just have
benefits for memory and preventing Alzheimer’s disease, it highlights the
importance of exercise to boost overall wellbeing and mental health,” Professor
Flicker said. “We all know that exercise can help ward off physical conditions
like heart disease and obesity and assist in overall wellbeing and fitness but
this study adds another compelling reason to that list.”
During the
trial, 170 volunteers aged 50 years and over were divided into two groups, a
control and a group which undertook to achieve 150 minutes of activity each
week, ranging from walking, ballroom dancing to swimming, for a six month
period. Participant cognition was tested during intervals over an 18 month
period – those who took part in physical activity continually out-scored the
control group, which actually reported an overall decline in cognition. WAIMR
director Professor Peter Klinken praised Professor Flicker's team and said the
trial was a great example of how medical research could have a positive effect
in the community.
In conclusion, kata traditions once veiled in secrecy, improve concentration, coordination, and, the functions of various organs of the body. The controlled breathing techniques, twisting of the body, movements of the limbs, and the contraction and expansion of the muscles, help blood and lymphatic vessels, and improve the functions of the skeletal and muscular structures as well as the digestive system. Kata, the vehicles through which the secrets of the ancient masters were classically transmitted over untold generations, are an excellent adjunct for physical training as they provide curative effects for such chronic diseases as high blood pressure, heart trouble, arthritis, and others.