Karate and Health

What are the cons-indications to the practice of karate?

Dr. Roman: There are two different practices in karate: practice room and practice in competition. For the practice room, the cons-indications are those of any sport. Regarding the practice of karate competition, against-indications are more stringent: for example, the failure to see with one eye associated with poor eyesight may prevent access to the kumite (fight), because the frequency of accidental facial trauma. Finally, for the top athletes, further investigations are carried out in order to detect such abnormal heart rhythm.

Doctissimo: What are the health benefits associated with the practice of karate?

karateDr Roman: Karate can be very beneficial to health if practice is adapted. In general, karate will appeal to coordination and balance. By age, the practice of karate will bring specific benefits. In children, it can work lateralization and precision gestures. Work in pairs or in groups during training helps develop social relationships. In adolescents and young adults, karate can have educational value: it allows to channel the will and energy, while learning to lose, to win and especially to respect the rules of the game Towards 30-40 years. it allows physical maintenance. Finally, when advances in age, the practice of kata (form gymnastics karate) is almost a treat neurological and muscle aging. In older people, the practice of gymnastics Karate maintains balance and muscle mass: it is a means of preventing falls and fractures the same, especially the femoral neck.

Doctissimo: What are the most common injuries?

Dr. Roman: For the practice of kata, there is virtually no risk of injury, including muscle, from the time the surfaces used are stable and of good quality. During the fighting, 80% of injuries involve the face: lesions on the lips, nose, rarely the eye or the ear. They are due to accidental knocks. Muscle injuries are not rare, but are often limited to bruises. In karate, there are very few sprains or joint injuries in the ankles, knees, shoulders or neck. Sometimes it may be lesions in the hand sprains or fractures of fingers. In people practicing karate for 30 years, there may be a higher occurrence of hip arthrosis, linked to work on one leg. But current training methods are changing, to avoid this type of pathologies.

Doctissimo: What are the age limits?

Dr. Roman Officially, children can begin karate from the age of 6 years. From 8 or 9 years old, they can address the competitive aspect with katas and work two that are rated. The only real competition begins around 11-12 years. It is rare to practice at a high level beyond 32 years. We can continue the fight then, when "assaults courteous." To practice kata, there is no upper age limit, on the contrary.

Doctissimo: What are the recommended protective equipment?

Dr. Roman: For the practice of katas, no special protection is required. When fighting in training room, wearing a shell and a mouthguard is advisable and gloves are mandatory. In competition, the rules are even stricter: in addition to gloves, mouth guard is mandatory, and the shell will soon be. Personally, I also advises wearing shin guards or even feet above protections. Finally, in the helmet child is required in competition.