Home  News Latest Senior citizens 'would do well' to practise martial arts
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Senior citizens 'would do well' to practise martial arts |
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Tuesday, 12 August 2008 |
 People over 60 would do well to practise martial arts such as karate, judo, ju jitsu or tai chi, according to experts.
Martin Halle, a sports medicine physician at the Technical University of Munich, says the forms can train strength, coordination and endurance - things that often diminish in old age.
He adds that although physical contact should be avoided for this generation, training can focus on stretching and guiding muscles, coordination, concentration and posture instead.
"It's simply too dangerous to be thrown to the mat after a certain age," he states.
"But the older a person gets the more important strength becomes."
This strength can provide a sturdy gait and protect against falls, Mr Halle adds.
According to a report in the Gazette this week, the martial art of krav maga can be used in self defence and to help improve fitness.
It uses movements that are easy to learn and which the body would do automatically, one instructor told the newspaper.
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