So before I go about stating my personal experiences and the results of my research, I caution everyone about defending what may be the indefensible. There's no "tradition" associated with the junbi undo. They're merely a bunch of 60's era PE exercises for Japanese grammar school students. They are no more and no less than that. A critical examination absolutely is in order.
I can't wait to hear more....... Really.
I was taught to keep my shoulders down (however not in an exaggerated manner as preferred by some teachers) by using my lats. Keeping the shoulders down will not allow my arms to hyper-extend during a full powered "air" strike. Most of my knowledge of joint damage comes from seeing thousands of students performing over the years and questioning them about the condition of their various arm/leg joints. I also keep track of training methods and various joint operations/replacements and have come to the conclusion that their is a relationship between what I consider to be stressful punching/kicking methods and joint pain and/or injuries.
I must say as of yet I have not had any elbow problems. I also tell my students not to fully extend the strike, in order to avoid elbow injury. But, I must say that they still do at least part of the time. I also catch myself fully extending the arm though not "intentionally".
My knowledge base, limited though it may be, comes from my time as a P.E. Major in college, personal research, and I've also been a Physical Therapy tech. for a few years.
In listening to joint replacement patients, I sometimes think the causes
they state for their problems are far from fact, at least in a sense. To listen to the patients these are some things you should avoid: Jumping off heavy machinery, running, driving trucks........... I know these all make sense. But we also have patients, (the ones that do not tell you what to avoid in your youth), that are young, homemakers, school teachers, etc., etc.
I'm another good example.
I have some range of motion problems with my hips at 41.
I even mentioned to GEM, that I thought it was due to some movements I did while taking Shito-Ryu. The truth is I DON'T KNOW, what caused it.
I also had a parent of a student years ago, that told the child if he did stretches, he would get stretch marks, like he had gotten while doing TKD as a kid. At that time it sounded ridiculous. With maturity and knowledge, I realized that it was possible, and probably a reality
for that Parent.
I guess what I'm saying is that as Instructors we have to continuously research and try to improve what we do, while at the same time..... We must not project our own maladies onto our students. Everyone is different and what cripples one, may have no effect whatsoever on another.
One last example of this would be the front kick George mentioned. I shared George's Instruction of how the kick should be done to avoid damaging the knee joint, with a physical therapist friend of mine. She agreed, I think her exact words were "He's a smart man, listen to him".
I still generally try to do the kick without full extension, the problem is, if I do it with any speed at all it kills my right knee! "Locking" the leg out does not. Why does it cause pain? Who knows? It could be from running, it could be from kicking "incorrectly" for years, my build, etc.
I'm rambling, but I'm enjoying all the info and discussion.
Bert
Login
Register
FAQ
Search
Why are "air kicks" dangerous, and "air strikes" in Sanchin not? Anyone remember getting "karate elbow" when you first started martial arts? I think any of us who did our martial arts training with any level of intent got that affliction.
