Does age mean anything?

**oldman34** · Posted On: 9/14/2006 5:57am

What are everyones thoughts on age affecting fighting/MA skills?

**Doctor X** · Posted On: 9/14/2006 6:32am

It does.

--J.D.

**Planktime** · Posted On: 9/14/2006 6:36am

Originally Posted by oldman34

What are everyones thoughts on age affecting fighting/MA skills?

Well obviously it depends on who you are. Some folks slow down quickly others stay vital longer. So with that out of the way it all depends on how you train and what you train for. If you are competeing (judo as you tag says) most try to hook you up with similar demographics. If you are training for fun/fitness Then consider with age is you heal slower the older you get.

In a fight do i think age matters? well at the far ends absolutly can a 40 year old beat a 20 year old. Yes but it also goes the other way as well.

PT

**Askari** · Posted On: 9/14/2006 6:40am

Does size mean anything?

Does gendre mean anything?

**Locu5** · Posted On: 9/14/2006 6:49am

For me, age (only 31, fwiw) has only meant my recovery times and innate stamina do not seem to be up to par with teenages and 20 something boys. The trade-off comes in temperance, patience, and wisdom (... at least that is why my mommy tells me). This is, at the least, very liberating for me; I mentally freed myself from working on being "strong" and have instead focused on being more technical (with the obvious caveat that physical attribute make a difference the closer partner's skill levels become). I think a lot of success can be had even when starting older, just set realistic expecations with yourself, but not at the expense of pushing yourself to your limits. Be safe; kick ass.

**Teh El Macho** · Posted On: 9/14/2006 7:14am

Originally Posted by Locu5

For me, age (only 31, fwiw) has only meant my recovery times and innate stamina do not seem to be up to par with teenages and 20 something boys. The trade-off comes in temperance, patience, and wisdom (... at least that is why my mommy tells me). This is, at the least, very liberating for me; I mentally freed myself from working on being "strong" and have instead focused on being more technical (with the obvious caveat that physical attribute make a difference the closer partner's skill levels become). I think a lot of success can be had even when starting older, just set realistic expecations with yourself, but not at the expense of pushing yourself to your limits. Be safe; kick ass.

Word.

When I turned 31, my ability to recover... my ability to do **** when down dramatically. So now I have to be more careful about getting enough sleep and have good nutrition. That is, before I could work out every day 2, even 3 hours at the gym (and hard), and still recover and make gains even if I didn't sleep well or ate crap the days before (not that that's a smart thing to do). Now forget it.

Past a certain age, a person just have to be more methodical in what the eat and train (and perhaps take supplements) to compensate for decrease in the ability to recover from hard, regular workouts/sports...

... having said, most people in their 30s and 40s who do MA, hit the gym or do any sport for that matter twice a week or more ARE FAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR much, much, much better shape that most people their junior (a sad state for a nation if you ask me.)

**logan32** · Posted On: 9/14/2006 7:14am

Age is definitely a factor. As you age your reflexes will slow. your recovery time will take longer. Unfortunately age is one of the few opponents you can't beat. I am 36 and although not old by any means I still have noticed injuries taking longer to heal body taking a little longer to recoup from strenous workouts. Ahh but what do I know you have people like George Foreman who stepped into the ring against 20 somethings when he was considerably past his "prime".

**PirateJon** · Posted On: 9/14/2006 7:44am

"Unfortunately age is one of the few opponents you can't beat."

Test + HGH FTW.

**Teh El Macho** · Posted On: 9/14/2006 7:52am

^^ Not really. There is legitimate hormone therapy where a qualified doctor can prescribe HGH or Test, depending on several factors (and btw, no doctor will ever prescribe hormone therapy to anyone under 30, sometimes not even under 35 unless it's a serious fucked up case of a hormonal deficiency.)