Brain Safety, Age, and Takedowns

[Glenn]

The soke of the branch of Uechi Ryu in which I currently train first began training in the 1950s and remembers applications of the kata having numerous takedown techniques that were removed over time, which he has worked to reintroduce into the bunkai that he teaches, which I am all for. However as we age our brains naturally shrink inside of our skulls increasing the risk of concussion, something recently highlighted locally by an incident in which an elderly farmer hopped down off his equipment as he had done literally daily for decades but this time that simple act was enough to give him a concussion. So it has me wondering, at what age should we cease being on the receiving end of takedowns?

[emattson]

It is true. Studies show that older adults are at risk of more serious and prolonged persistent post-concussive symptoms. Persistent post-concussive symptoms are symptoms of a mild traumatic brain injury that typically last longer than three months. But age isn't the only factor that increase the risk. Women, people with history of anxiety, history of headaches, or prior head injuries all may suffer more severe brain injuries from a concussion.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-con ... c-20353352

The highest incidence of traumatic brain injury occurred in people over the age of 75, children aged 0-4 years and individuals aged 15-24 years. The 15-24 years range is probably more common because of contact sports or high risk activities.
https://www.aans.org/patients/condition ... oncussion/

About 90% of head injuries among older individuals is due to ground-level falls.
https://www.news-medical.net/news/20240 ... finds.aspx

Still, I feel that the elderly can be receiving end of takedowns for the following conditions:
- Plenty of cushions on the floor to soften the blow.
- Controlled takedowns, which gives the person being taken down to better practice fall techniques, which we all need at any age.

Obviously, the elderly should ask his doctor first, before practicing takedowns because everyone's body and health are different. If anyone received a blow to the head, he should rest to recover--even if he never blacked out. The length of time depends on doctor's orders.