Health Benefits

The Purpose of studying Karate-Do

The essence of Karate-do lies in the development of individuals, character development being the main purpose. Karate-do transcends social class, age and fortune and can be mastered by everybody. Karate-do is an art that is based upon the study of physiology. Physiology meaning the science dealing with the normal functions of living things and their parts. Initially a way to protect ourselves, Karate-do is one of the most complete forms of physical exercise. Its aim is to achieve reliable improvements in the functioning of the body. First, we must understand how the physiological functioning of our bodies is influenced by Karate-do. It is through Karate-do, which addresses the principles and conditions of physiology, that the results of exercise will become manifest for the first time.

Movement

Increases flexibility and helps keep the joints limber.

 

Muscles

Improves muscle functions by utilizing isometric and isotonic exercises. Isometric meaning strengthening muscles by pressing one part of the body against another; and isotonic meaning contraction muscles under constant tension.

Breathing

The thorax widens and the diaphragm gets pushed down, the volume of the thoracic cavity increases and because the pressure within the cavity changes, air naturally flows in the lungs, which increases lung capacity and allows oxygen into the blood, which increases energy, another benefit of Karate-do training.

Type of Exercise

  • No Exercise
  • Manual Labor
  • Calisthenics
  • Boxing
  • Swimming
  • Karate

Average Lung Capacity

  • 3350 cubic centimeters
  • 3950 cubic centimeters
  • 4200 cubic centimeters
  • 4800 cubic centimeters
  • 4900 cubic centimeters
  • 6000-7000 cubic centimeters

Kepmo Karate-Do; Universal Art of Self-Defense
By Chitose Tsuyoshi
Research from 1957

As you can see from the chart above, the direct influence that karate-do has on normal breathing is evident in the remarkable increase in lung capacity. It follows that the impact of Karate of the development of healthy breathing is an extremely important matter in terms of the preservation of our health. Protection against breathing related ailments is an extremely important issue. One cannot help but come to the conclusion that Karate-do is an influential defensive measure against them, one of the most important being asthma. Through proper Karate training, asthma can be controlled without inhalers, and many times, the asthma will go away completely.

Non-Tangible Benefits of Karate-Do

  • Improves focus and concentration
  • Improves awareness
  • Develops a positive attitude
  • Relieves stress
  • Improves public speaking
  • Develops self-confidence
  • Learn self-respect and respect for others
  • Learn patience
  • Learn how to persevere

Karate-Do makes each of these body functions, together and individually, able to perform well

  • Movement (muscles, skeleton, joints)
  • Circulations (heart, blood vessels, lymph glands)
  • Breathing (nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, lungs, blood)
  • Digestion (mouth, esophagus, stomach and intestines, pancreas, liver)
  • Excretory (kidneys, urethra, urinary bladder, skin)
  • Heat Moderation (skin, hair, finger and toe nails)
  • Nervous System (brain, spinal cord, nerve endings)
  • Sensation (skin, mucus membrane, eyes, ears, mouth, nose)
  • Encdocrine System (thyroid gland, adrenal glands, pituitary glands, reproductive glands)

Dr. Tsuyoshi Chitose
Founder Chito-ryu Karate
Teacher of Mamoru Yamamoto
Founder of Yoshukai Karate

Additional Benefits from Karate-Do Training

  • Raises metabolism
  • Helps with diabetes (keeps sugar low)
  • Helps control high blood pressure
  • Improves muscle tone
  • Improves coordination and timing for different sports