More prone to injury? - Bay Area Parkour2024-03-29T10:55:48Zhttp://baparkour.ning.com/forum/topics/more-prone-to-injury?groupUrl=toooldtorockandroll&commentId=2070047%3AComment%3A78989&x=1&feed=yes&xn_auth=noSome thoughts on strength tra…tag:baparkour.ning.com,2011-05-19:2070047:Comment:789892011-05-19T20:35:12.368ZSenghttp://baparkour.ning.com/profile/msgr33
<p><a href="http://baparkour.ning.com/video/bodyweight-strength" target="_self">Some thoughts on strength training</a> from someone with perspective of age and other physical activities.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>In my own experience, I don't find that I'm more prone to injury due to age, but injuries do take a noticeably longer to heal than when I was both younger and much more active (dedicated to a competitive sport 5days/wk then versus casually 2days/wk at lower intensity now), even though I'm…</p>
<p><a href="http://baparkour.ning.com/video/bodyweight-strength" target="_self">Some thoughts on strength training</a> from someone with perspective of age and other physical activities.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>In my own experience, I don't find that I'm more prone to injury due to age, but injuries do take a noticeably longer to heal than when I was both younger and much more active (dedicated to a competitive sport 5days/wk then versus casually 2days/wk at lower intensity now), even though I'm stronger now and possibly more fit, depending on the metrics.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I think what you mentioned about rest periods is very important. Resting is part of training, especially as we get older- working out most days a week while maintaining a career, family, other pursuits is very difficult if not eventually counterproductive. We have to come to terms that we're not pro athletes whose lives are dedicated to physical excellence and likely will never be (though those for whom <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/07/sports/basketball/07naps.html" target="_blank">it's their livelihood know the importance of rest even more</a>) then decide what are reasonable goals for our training.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I think it's important at any age to consider parkour a long-term activity, ie not something to achieve a certain level to add to a resume, but a path that will allow endless learning. Simple techniques and movements and the strength that is developed through them must still be the foundation of deliberate progression. Some of us who bring a lot of experience from other disciplines- whether that be sports, academics, music, etc.- may have gotten used to performing at a high level in those activities but forget how long it took to develop those skills because we were young and engrossed in what we were doing. At the same time, injuries are part of any physical activity so even a setback of a few months will hopefully not become the termination of training that may continue for years.</p>