Exercise and Aging - Don't Limit the Patient to Limit the Pain
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Jolie Bookspan, M.Ed, PhD, FAWM
The article points out that contributors to injuries are biomechanics, poor flexibility, and "pounding" or stomping down unnecessarily hard when running, jumping, walking, etc. Even with that knowledge, the news report goes on to say the answer to reduce injuries is to cut back activity. In Sunday's Fitness Fixer post, Forearm, Upper Body and Hand Exercise, I wrote that it is not a healthful or useful solution to "limit the patient to limit the pain."The Reuters article quoted a foot and ankle podiatrist saying, "It is really important that people continue to be physically active, but they need to think logically about how to remain active as they age… Probably when you start getting into your 40s and 50s, the half marathon is a great alternative (to full marathons). Or, if you did two or three marathons a year, cut it back to one a year or opt for 10K or 5K runs." The podiatrist himself is a marathoner. He stated, "Having run 25 marathons, it was hard for me to cut back."
I would suggest looking at biomechanics, poor flexibility, and "pounding" first, before telling someone to stop doing what they love:
- Biomechanics - Why So Many Aerobics Injuries?
- Flexibility - What Does Stretching Do?
- Pounding - Walk Lightly - Shock Absorption for Happier Joints
I have some exciting developments about getting you information on Exercise and Aging. Will announce soon.
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Read and contribute your own success stories of these methods. Before asking questions, see if your answers are already here - click labels under posts, links in posts, archives at right, and the Fitness Fixer Index. Subscribe to The Fitness Fixer, free. Click "updates via e-mail" (under trumpet) upper right.
For answers to personal medical questions - Replies to Medical Questions. Limited Class spaces for personal evaluation. Top students may apply to certify through DrBookspan.com/Academy. See Dr. Bookspan's Books.
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Photo by terriseesthings
3 Comments:
At Wednesday, June 04, 2008 8:07:00 PM,
Anonymous said…
Dr. Bookspan, I'm having a difficult time because many of my friends are korean, and we share meals together. The only difference is, Koreans grow up using the floor, so it is very comfortable for them. I need help because, when I am sitting crosslegged, it is hard to bend forward to reach for things. Are there any stretches to help me bend forward while seated crosslegged? Thank you for your time:)
At Thursday, June 05, 2008 8:32:00 AM,
Anonymous said…
After reading the Reuters article, I'm pretty annoyed that its major source would be a podiatrist since doctors don't get trained in exercise.
There is no good reason to let the walls close in on people having them cut back on activity. The professional evidence I've been exposed to at is not that people simply have "wear and tear" injuries from aging and activity. More importantly the degeneration results from sedentary living. The injuries ultimately happen because we move and exercise less overall, making us less able to withstand the "wear and tear" of daily activities.
We don't wear out--we rust out (as Dr. Walter Bortz would say). Limiting activities to limit pain is a slippery slope to declining independence and quality of life!
Teresa Merrick
Bellvue, NE
At Thursday, September 11, 2008 6:20:00 PM,
Jolie Bookspan, M.Ed, PhD, FAWM said…
Hello 4 My Jagiya,
I am writing a post for you of the point you ask. Until then, start with putting both hands behind you to help push your back upright and straight, not forward, to start getting the hip and back stretch you need to sit. Watch the video of sitting on floor and rising Fast Fitness - Functional Agility, Flexibility, Strength and check the photo and comments in the post Quick and Easy Strength and Balance Exercise. Keep practicing, send photos or small movies if you can. I enjoyed visiting your charming web site to see if I could find photos of situations you describe.
To Teresa, I agree with all your points and hope we can get the information to people to help them know how to use it to stay mobile and active, doing all they love.
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