Practice Hangetsu........
Explain please 
.....if it needs explaining then you're obviously not ready for it Huw
....but seriously - I happen to agree with the point of view that everything that you need for Karate is in Kata and that KAta performed properly is in fact Kumite - assuming that you are prepared to read between the lines and can overlook the "relatively new-fangled" techniques such as MAwashi-Geri etc. (although it's obviously possible to practice the Traditional Shotokan Kata while keeping an eye open for situations/combinations where such additional techniques could be substituted or added.....
)
Bearing this point of view as my frame of reference for this discussion I hold that and "body conditioning" necessary for combat will also be inherrent in correct practice of the various Kata. In this context my use of the term "body conditioning" is meant to imply more than the "standard/normal" body conditioning that is inherent in the repetition of Kihon/ Physical exercises or Stretching etc. but not the "extreme" forms of body conditioning often shown in Martial Arts Films - e.g. driving fist/fingers into buckets of sand/gravel/brokenglass
NOTE: Used sensibly I don't consider Makiware use to be "extreme"
Right - so back to the original question and my response.
I think that being able to "take a knock" in the context raised originally by Makoto - where it was basically body hits being discussed - is not so much, or solely, dependant on the musclature of the body being hit - but at least (if not more IMO) as dependant on the
use of the musclature in that area along with correct breathing and body tension at the time of impact.
Think of it is the same contect of "Kime/Focus" when striking or blocking.
To this end I think that the Shorei Style Kata - such as Hangetsu which I mentioned - have a more obvious inherent body conditioning element due to the emphasis on some parts of the Kata having extremely slow sections with "exaggerated" body tension and breathing focus.
It's this aspect of these Katas which I feel will help Karetka to develop the necessary ability to focus thier muscles and breathing properly to avoid/minimise damage to themselves when hit.
Jim
EDIT: Note - I didn't use the term Ki at all........
