Aikido,
Running & Knees
(Extracted from Aikido-L)
Date: Sun, 24 Mar 2002 13:46:18 -0500
From: Aikido Penguin
Subject: aikido, running and knees
Hi all,
As a beginner aikidoka and a next-to-beginner runner waiting for spring to come
back to resume training, I was wondering whether both together aren't too
stressful for knees. Granted, the time for suwari-waza hasn't come yet for me
but in the long run, shouldn't a sport that's less knee-intensive be a better
complement for aikido? Surely there are runners on the list, opinions are
welcome!
Thanks,
The waddling AP.
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Date: Sun, 24 Mar 2002 14:04:02 -0600
From: Peter Claussen
Subject: Re: aikido, running and knees
I've never had problems with my knees and aikido, but I did find seiza was hell
on shin splints.
I've found the bigger problem is that tightness in the hips and thighs that
comes with linear running movements makes circular aikido movements more
difficult.
Peter Claussen
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Date: Sun, 24 Mar 2002 12:59:00 -0800
From: Janet Rosen
Subject: Re: aikido, running and knees
The Penguin asked:
> >As a beginner aikidoka and a next-to-beginner runner waiting for spring to
> >come back to resume training, I was wondering whether both together aren't
> >too stressful for knees.
to which Peter Claussen wrote:
> I've found the bigger problem is that tightness in the hips and
> thighs that comes with linear running movements makes circular aikido
movements more difficult.
I will suggest 4 things for the tightness:
1. stretch your quads and psoas before and after running
2. stretch your quads and psoas before and after running
3. stretch your quads and psoas before and after running :-)
yeah, there IS a number 4:
in all seriousness, vary your running to incorporate running backwards, sideways
(in each direction) and large figure eights, as well as skipping. This was part
of the regimens suggested by both my orthopedist and the athletic trainer I
consulted with.
In terms of stress on knees: if you really enjoy both activities, make sure that
the running is done in the best possible terms: soft surface, good shoes, soft
knee flexing landings, thorough warming up and stretching/cooling down and
stretching. If you don't really enjoy running, yeah, find something else do
to....
janet
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Date: Sun, 24 Mar 2002 19:02:58 -0600
From: "Bosman, Paul J"
Subject: Re: aikido, running and knees
As someone who desperately loves running, and felt forced to give it up this
year at my knees behest, I agree with the previous advice to run on soft
surfaces. Trail running is experiencing a big boom as many runners discover
that the impact of running on asphalt, or heaven forfend, concrete, is
shocking. Also, be very cautious in your mileage increases. Don't extend runs
beyond your plan; that's the Runner's High talking.
Whatever you do, don't run long distances in combat boots carrying a pack. I'm
biking to work for aerobic exercise now, my knees don't like impact much
anymore.
Say Janet, will a previous history of chondromalacia bias me towards seiza/suwariwaza
injury?
Paul
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Date: Sun, 24 Mar 2002 22:30:07 -0800
From: Janet Rosen
Subject: Re: aikido, running and knees
"Bosman, Paul J" wrote:
> Say Janet, will a previous history of chondromalacia bias me towards seiza/suwariwaza
injury?
You get my last post for 3 days, Paul :-) talk about getting in under the wire:
Only your doctor or athletic trainer knows for sure, to quote an old commercial,
but let's say that if *I* had a history of chonromalacia in my knee, I would opt
not to do suwariwaza. I respectfully defer to any likstka who have direct
experience that says otherwise.
janet
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Last updated on 13 Sep 2002