Martial Artists and Age.

[A.A.K]

I was just thinking...at what stage does your speed and strength decline?
Im 18 now..been doing this since I was 11. It doesn't seem at this point that strength and speed (or speed to a degree) wont decline on the condition of constant practice, but I know I'm wrong. So the escapist, talk to me. Tell how life plays into account with your style or skill, or yourself.

 

[snappydog]

I'm 17, been doing martial arts since I was... probably went to my first class at about 8, done a few different styles since then. Not totally sure what the question is to be honest, I don't really know 'how life plays into account with my style or skill'. But as far as my strength, speed, agility, flexibility etc. goes... well, flexibility I've kept. I'm a 17 year old guy who's more flexible than most girls my age, so I know that doesn't decline at least up until now.

 

[Valate_v1legacy]

Well, when you become old, you gain 2 points of wisdom at the cost of 2 points of strength. And if you survive to venerability, it becomes 3 wisdom.

OT: Wholly depends on how fit you keep yourself and your diet as you get older. Sleep is also a factor, an average 7 hours/day was proven to be the most prominent for adults. Don't worry about debilitating diseases unless you get one, and then your physician will tell you your options.

 

[Daystar Clarion]

Well, when you're young, you can this...


But when you're old, you can do this!

 

[Catchy Slogan]

*snip*

I think Daystar Clarion just won the thread!

OT: I think it differs from person to person and how active they were when they were young but I'd guess mid 40's to late 50's.

 

[2xDouble]

"The oldest tree in the forest is by far the strongest" - ancient wisdom.

 

[Ultrajoe]

My sensei is 43 and is still the most physically capable person in our dojo, and I've seen 70-80 year old guys who can still perform any technique with ease. The older guys might be a bit weaker in the muscles, but their speed is undulled and when you add in the sheer weight of experience they have they can move in truly fearsome ways.

Until you're 35, don't worry, and even then only worry if you're relying in youth to see you through. Take care of yourself and martial arts will be with you until death. Skill and experience always count for something.

 

[barbzilla]

I really can't say, my sensai is 84 years old and still moves fast as hell. He has lost a bit of strength, but I can't say that makes him any less effective. I myself am 28 and I have gained speed since I was 18, so I can't say it degraded for me yet. For a martial artist I think the most important thing is to keep practicing. As long as you keep at it, your art will not suffer.

 

[Wutaiflea]

I refer you to this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcy7FHZCoXU&feature=related

I don't think this gentleman would've listened to you if you had told him he'd lost his touch with age.

 

[A.A.K]

Well my Sifu is 74 and is made of steel...So strong, so much power..but his speed has lessened (so I'm told)...One of the reasons why I'm so curious about this, I know people at the kwoon who are in their 30's and complaining about getting slow, or not feeling the power anymore, and yet comparing to the sifu...So ye, I'm curious.

 

[Jamash]

I don't think it's so much a matter of age, but a matter of wear and tear.

One martial artist could be a practitioner and remain as strong, supple and fast when their 60 as when they were 20, but another competitive martial artist, who's competed in many high impact fights and who has dealt and received a lot of blows, sustained injuries and perhaps even been knocked out a few times, may start to physically decline in their 30s.

There's only so much high impact activity and punishment the human body can sustain, regardless of age.

 

[Voration]

'They' say that the human body reaches its peak between the ages of 21 and 25, and then declines ever after. Of course that doesn't mean you can't get stronger or improve beyond that age, but your body will start to accumulate signs of wear and tear beyond 25.