Post by Jonathan Anderson on Jan 27, 2009 9:22:16 GMT -4
www.budo.ac/kendo/kendo_archves_e/hyperthermia_2006/hyperthermia.htm
I found this link while poking around Kendo-World's Forums. It's worth a look as it's got some good information - even if some of that information makes me a BIT if a liar. What I mean by that is I've told everyone that the only Kendo-related death I've heard of is a man who died of a heart attack during jigeiko (free sparring). This article outlines a number of people that have died from hyperthermia - not to be confused with HYPOthermia - excessive body heat during Kendo practice.
I'd like everyone to look the article over just for familiarity's sake. What I will say about this is that my group will never discourage or prevent anyone from drinking water if necessary. If someone is feeling light-headed (beyond what they know their own "exercise rush" feels like), unusually hot, nauseous, or weak, 2 things NEED to happen (in this order):
1. the individual needs to be located on the floor, away from any other training to prevent additional injury, either sitting or lying down. If we're outside at the time, find/make shade for the person, and supply them with water to SIP continually, and someone needs to continue to monitor them to ensure that they don't go into shock. If they are in bogu, it should be removed, and if they're in keikogi and hakama, they should be loosened/removed depending upon severity.
2. I need to be notified of the situation as quickly as possible, so long as it does not interfere with caring for the person in distress.
Training is a wonderful thing. Pushing oneself in order to achieve higher levels of skill, or to attain greater spiritual strength/mental stamina is, when done properly and safely, highly rewarding; however, that is a personal choice, and should be done with a mind toward a level of moderation. If anyone is going to err, I'd rather it be to err on the side of safety.
One should approach each class as though it will be the last class they will have before a match/fight/test, but if you push yourself to the point that the practice session kills you, what good has it done you?
I found this link while poking around Kendo-World's Forums. It's worth a look as it's got some good information - even if some of that information makes me a BIT if a liar. What I mean by that is I've told everyone that the only Kendo-related death I've heard of is a man who died of a heart attack during jigeiko (free sparring). This article outlines a number of people that have died from hyperthermia - not to be confused with HYPOthermia - excessive body heat during Kendo practice.
I'd like everyone to look the article over just for familiarity's sake. What I will say about this is that my group will never discourage or prevent anyone from drinking water if necessary. If someone is feeling light-headed (beyond what they know their own "exercise rush" feels like), unusually hot, nauseous, or weak, 2 things NEED to happen (in this order):
1. the individual needs to be located on the floor, away from any other training to prevent additional injury, either sitting or lying down. If we're outside at the time, find/make shade for the person, and supply them with water to SIP continually, and someone needs to continue to monitor them to ensure that they don't go into shock. If they are in bogu, it should be removed, and if they're in keikogi and hakama, they should be loosened/removed depending upon severity.
2. I need to be notified of the situation as quickly as possible, so long as it does not interfere with caring for the person in distress.
Training is a wonderful thing. Pushing oneself in order to achieve higher levels of skill, or to attain greater spiritual strength/mental stamina is, when done properly and safely, highly rewarding; however, that is a personal choice, and should be done with a mind toward a level of moderation. If anyone is going to err, I'd rather it be to err on the side of safety.
One should approach each class as though it will be the last class they will have before a match/fight/test, but if you push yourself to the point that the practice session kills you, what good has it done you?