Vital oldies with adapted old martial arts

Abstract

Purpose We experience a double ageing crisis (rising percentage of aged persons who also attain a higher age). This stresses the importance of a good quality of life. Positive effects on physical and cognitive functions of QiGong and the internal martial art TaiChi is well documented (Park et al, 2023). In the Western World, this is usually taught without the self-preservation aspects that reduces harm from other persons. So-called external martial arts include self-defence but are taught to children and younger adults who focus on competition, not on self-preservation and community living as are concerns of older people (Bronswijk 2021). Comparing fitness with karate, an external martial art, showed increased reaction speed by karate only (Witte et al, 2016), providing an essential element of self-defence. Method We combined internal and external arts (Ries & Wogawa 2016) as adopted by the Nederlandse Federatie voor Krijgskunsten. It includes didactics, focusses on health and self-preservation, does not have competition, asks for daily training at home, and weekly sessions at the dojo, incorporates the cane and may lead to a black belt. Specific martial art content derives from the classical art practised by individual teachers. Okinawan martial arts from before the Japanese Meiji Restauration (1868–1890) supplied us with age-proof techniques. We developed full-day courses for martial arts teachers focussing on capabilities and aspirations of older people and methodical ways to address these. Results and Discussion Around 80 teachers (7♀, 72♂) completed a course. Gender diversity was larger with a female recruiter (Table 1). In June 2024 two German and four Dutch teachers, taught older adults. Low-tech punching pads, prepared breaking boards, etc. were supplied in the dojo. Most students used a privately owned smartwatch at dojo and at home. Some used a cane in daily life. Students entering classes had commonly practiced martial arts before, sometimes decades earlier. Each class contained around 4 to 8 students. A group that started in 2019 saw 6 students leaving (1♀ died, 1♀ and 1♂ moved, 1♀ and 2♂ loosing interest), while 4 (3♀, 1♂) remained and reported clear assistance in daily live that stimulated ageing-in-place. One ♀ attained a blackbelt. To prevent association with violent martial art games and videos, the Dutch introduced a neutral term, VITOK. It derives from VITale Ouderen door Krijgskunst (Vital elderly through martial arts) and sounds well in Dutch. Recruiting students remained difficult. Only practicing older students were effective recruiters. To spread this assistive technology option, a slow but steady growth in participation is expected. In our workshop all ISG2024 participants are welcome to experience a class.