UNMC Off the Clock – Dr. Talmadge and the martial arts

James Talmadge, Ph.D., professor in the department of pathology and microbiology, has been involved in the martial arts for nearly 40 years.

As a child, he dabbled in Jiu-Jitsu and later returned to martial arts when his eldest son became a green belt in Tae-Kwon-do.

Today, Dr. Talmadge — a black belt — teaches Tae-Kwon-do and Judo at a local school where the focus is to teach control and respect as well as self defense.

James Talmadge, Ph.D., prepares to break concrete blocks with his hands. Dr. Talmadge has participated in the martial arts for nearly 40 years.

How do your colleagues react when they find out about your martial arts expertise?

In real life, it is best not to advertise skills, so it is infrequently discussed. However, I have been able to take it into academic pursuits with a specialization on pressure points using strikes, Judo and Jiu-Jitsu. I recently wrote a book that combines martial arts, physiology and pathology. We are negotiating with publishers and hope to have it available commercially.

Have you ever gotten hurt?

Most of the injuries involve hamstring pulls, bruises, cuts and, on rare occasions, broken bones. Bruises come from hitting bags, wood and concrete. Cuts generally come from going through concrete, which acts like glass as you go through it. In my case, I have broken a toe, not from kicking something, but from twisting into an elbow board break. I have injured a rotator cuff and dislocated my shoulder throwing someone.

Can you break a board with your hands?

Breaking a board is similar to breaking a bone. To break a single board is relatively simple. However, breaking three or four boards requires considerable skill.

Does that hurt?

If you break them — no. If you don’t break them — yes. It is in your best interest to be successful.

What do you tell those interested in martial arts?

I typically tell people to find a martial arts school that has a philosophy that meets their own. I should stress that martial arts can be subdivided into two types — sports and martial arts. In the martial art style, which is what I participate in, physical contact is rarely involved. The sport side involves more contact and sparring. To me the goal is to find a school that provides a focus on control, exercise and a philosophy that you are comfortable with.