From KRISTIAN SAVIN
I would like to correct the ideas of martial arts perceived by Robert
Kennan (Letters, 24 February, p 52).
It is true that in many martial arts the risk of brain damage is reduced as
the whole body is used as a target, not just the head and torso. But many
styles allow kicking to the head which can cause far more damage if executed
properly.
However, as a practitioner and friend to many older exponents, my major
area for concern is not the fighting, but more the degradation of the body
through years of constant training.
The training has a high impact on muscles and joints, leading many to
arthritis and torn muscles. This is without mentioning the tendons and
ligaments stretched above and beyond the normal stresses of everyday life. As
in any other sport, the dangers are always there but not necessarily
noticeable.
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