Quite often we are asked if there is a difference between adult and child training. And what are the differences within the same direction of martial arts. In fact, the differences are quite large, but there are also many overlaps. And today we will talk about them in more detail.
Features of the development of adults and children
If you decide to choose a sports section for a child, then you need to weigh all the details and nuances. Many sports take into account the characteristics of a growing organism. But some martial arts do not differentiate between adult and child training. Although, from our point of view, this is not entirely correct. In this case, there are several factors that must be taken into account:
- the adult’s body is already formed, and the main growth processes have ended;
- adults are more likely to more consciously calculate the consequences to which certain of their actions can lead;
- children sometimes do not completely control their body because it is still developing.
Thus, children may not fully understand the consequences of certain actions and calculate the appropriateness of the degree of their reaction to what is happening around them. Therefore, children need to be given techniques and help develop skills that can allow them to fend for themselves, but at the same time do not have a high level of injury.
Adults, understanding the consequences of their actions, can measure them against the level of danger and possible consequences.
On the other hand, an equally important point is that despite the incredible number of natural defense mechanisms, the child’s body is quite fragile, because it is only developing and getting stronger. And the task of any sports section is to help a child grow up healthy.
Physical activity
Everybody needs regular physical activity to maintain normal functioning. It’s not even about some incredible loads that representatives of Olympic sports face. And about absolutely basic things that help keep the body in good shape.
The benefits of physical activity are enormous. And the spectrum of its action is directed to the whole organism as a whole, and not only to some organs or muscles.
Firstly, physical activity has a positive effect on the condition and helps the correct formation of the musculoskeletal system:
- increasing the level of endurance and physical strength;
- increasing and maintaining body flexibility;
- strengthening of bone tissue;
- increasing and maintaining the level of joint mobility.
And this is true for both adults and children. Therefore, physical activity has a beneficial effect on people of any age and, in particular, helps the development of the vestibular apparatus.
Secondly, harmonious physical activity contributes to the proper functioning of internal organs:
- blood circulation helps to saturate organs with oxygen, including the brain;
- active movement of lymph remains;
- the activity and correct functioning of the cardiovascular system is maintained;
- intestinal motility is stimulated;
- the level of glucose in the blood decreases.
All this allows the internal organs to work correctly. This improves the balance of energy consumption and consumption, which in turn helps to normalize body weight.
Thirdly, sport helps to maintain a psycho-emotional state and health:
- physical activity contributes to the production of pleasure hormones;
- a feeling of cheerfulness and poise appears;
- the level of the stress hormone decreases.
Among other things, even small, but regular physical activity lowers the level of a hormone that affects appetite. Thus, exercise can even keep you from overeating.
These factors are especially important for children, who are much more energetic and active than adults. And the main thing is to direct this energy into the correct way.
That is why, in our Club, physical activity is an obligatory part of every workout, regardless of whether adults are engaged or children. The level of this load may vary. Well, and, of course, we always urge all those involved to also carefully monitor their own well-being, so that the training is exclusively for the good and for the benefit. After all, our trainings are carried out for people of any age. You can read more about this in the article Is it too late to start aikido classes at 30, 40, 50 or later?
At the same time, physical activity can vary, depending on the age group of those involved. Again, starting from the fact that there is much more energy in the child’s body that needs to be spent, the rhythm and intensity of the activity for children can be higher than for adults. Which, in turn, does not exclude the fact that adult training also takes place in a dynamic rhythm.
Features of techniques for adults
If physical activity is necessarily included in the training program for both children and adults in our Club, but at the same time it can differ, albeit insignificantly, then the difference in techniques for children and adults is more striking.
Applied Aikido techniques taught in an adult curriculum are often more technically challenging than children’s belt techniques.
And the point here is solely in age characteristics:
- the formation of an adult body;
- concentration and attention;
- the ability to measure strength and calculate the possible consequences.
Yes, the adult program is more difficult technically. Yes, there are throwing techniques in it. Yes, undoubtedly, it includes techniques that can be traumatic, with excessive diligence and thoughtless use. Yes, the emergence of more complex techniques in adult training occurs much earlier than in children.
But at the same time, both adult and children’s programs in Applied Aikido are structured as follows:
- first, give people the opportunity to learn how to handle their body and the enemy from the very first training;
- over time, more complex elements are added, requiring a certain level of awareness.
After all, Applied Aikido is not about destroying the enemy at any cost. It is a self-defense system for children and adults that meets modern requirements:
- stand up for oneself;
- learn to control an opponent;
- neutralize aggression.
But at the same time, it allows you to do all of the above without causing serious injury to the enemy. This, in turn, allows you to make training as safe as possible in terms of the possibility of injury.
Children’s program in Applied Aikido
At the same time, the International Federation of Applied Aikido has a specially developed program for children, which includes techniques selected taking into account the physiological characteristics of a growing organism. In more detail about the benefits of training, we have already written in the article Top 5 Reasons to Enroll Your Child in Applied Aikido.
Undoubtedly, the child begins to study self-defense techniques from the very first lesson. From the very beginning of training, the student is given a set of elementary techniques that will help protect himself from typical manifestations of aggression. And children can face them in any of the areas of their lives:
- at kindergarten;
- at school;
- at the playground;
- on a walk.
If you are looking for aikido training for a child in Kyiv, then you can be sure that with us he will learn to repulse bullies and stand up for himself. We study techniques from different attacks:
- what to do if grabbing hands or hair;
- how to react to grips both from the front and from the back;
- how to protect yourself from punches or kicks;
- what to do if bullied and pushed.
The training program is structured in such a way as to provide the most effective defense tools from the very beginning that will help repel aggression, but at the same time will not cause irreparable damage to the health and life of the attacker.
Over time, the program will undoubtedly become more complex. But at the same time, we teach to appreciate those who are engaged with us and to measure the level of applied force.
Intersections of adult and children’s programs
At the same time, it cannot be said that children’s and adult programs are completely different from each other, without overlapping. Quite the opposite.
Many techniques are taught to both children and adults. As a matter of fact, these are exactly the simplest and most effective techniques that allow you to repulse the attacker already at the initial stage of training.
The differences may be that adults begin to learn some techniques earlier than children. But, nevertheless, there are no technical differences in the techniques. These are the most effective tools that are suitable for any age and body size.
In addition, the children’s program is, in fact, a kind of preparation for the transition to the next stage, that is, for the study of the adult program. But we will talk about this in more detail in one of the following articles.
In order not to miss – subscribe to our official page on the social network Facebook. If you have any questions, you can always ask our trainers. All necessary contacts can be found here.