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Boy, haven't seen this one in a while...
Ian, I'd say all those long time Aikidoka probably have knee problems either because they came with them from other arts/sports/etc, or had a predisposition to knee problems related to bending knees (chondromalacia patella), or because until they became famous Aikidoka, they were also once beginners who turned incorrectly. In several dojos I've trained in, students are allowed to just move around, often at too great a speed for their skill level, trying to imitate what they see in seniors by must being faster and more jerky in their movements. Often they hop from place to place. These kinds of movements increase the odds that they will try to turn on a planted foot, or will extend their weight forward of their toes. I liked that my first place stressed keeping your feet on the mat (the only sound sensei expected to hear during training was shuffling feet and bodies falling) and to turn your foot as you turned, I think two good habits that will save my knees in the long run.
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