HEALTH BENEFITS OF TAEKWON-DO TRAINING
To me Taekwon-Do is a way of life
it is "DO", a path many martial artists travel. To others it is just an
activity or a challenge to meet a goal or to say they got a black belt and to
some it is a form of exercise.
There have
been many studies on the health benefits of Taekwon-Do and other martial arts.
As instructors or even students we need to understand the benefits so we can
incorporate them into training for a healthier martial artist. In the next few seasons
we will address these benefits, how to incorporate activities and exercises
into a routine of daily training. Understanding the role that exercise and
training plays in the maintenance of good health is a strong motivation for developing
and sustaining a life time "DO" physically fit martial artist. Also to prepare
and present fit black belts candidates for National Testing.
Six health benefits of training are:
Reduces the risk of heart disease
Reduces the risk if diabetes
Increases bone mass
Maintains physical working capacity during aging
Increases longevity
Improves psychological well-being
Cardiovascular disease, aliments of the heart and blood
vessels are a major cause of death in the U.S. It is well established regular
training can significantly reduce the risk of cardio vascular disease. Evidence
also shows training reduces the risk of death during a heart attack.
Diabetes is a disease characterized by high blood sugar
(glucose). Untreated it results in many health problems. Regular training can
reduce a type of adult diabetes called type II. Training improves regulation of
blood glucose reducing type II diabetes.
Osteoporosis is a disorder where the bones lose mass and
strength. The skeletal system is a mechanical lever system. Training applies
force which helps strengthen the bone and increases bone mass. Regular training
can prevent bone loss in the older martial artist.
As one grows older there is a progressive decline in the
ability to perform strenuous activity. Natural declines can start as early as
the early 20's and the most dramatic changes are around 60 years of age. Studies
show regular training will reduce the rate of decline.
Evidence suggests training can increase longevity, but the
most important aspect is that it improves quality of life as one grows older. Training
reduces as we have said heart disease and also some cancers.
Studies show training reduces anxiety, depression and stress
leading to a better sense of well-being.
Next article will be the components of health related training
and fitness.
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