optimum excercise for middle age

Posted on | November 30, 2009 | 1 Comment

Excercise increases arthritis in excess

A US study of more than 200 people aged 45 to 55 and of “normal” weight found those doing the most exercise were the most likely to suffer knee damage.

Running and jumping may also do more damage to cartilage and ligaments than swimming and cycling, researchers said.

One arthritis charity said it was important to keep fit and most people would not have any problems.

Osteoarthritis – the most common form of arthritis – is a degenerative joint disease that causes pain, swelling and stiffness and affects 8m people in the UK.

Typically, earlier news suggests much the opposite!

Running makes you live longer

The work tracked 500 older runners for more than 20 years, comparing them to a similar group of non-runners. All were in their 50s at the start of the study.

Nineteen years into the study, 34% of the non-runners had died compared to only 15% of the runners.

Both groups became more disabled with age, but for the runners the onset of disability started later – an average of 16 years later.

(http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7554293.stm)

and

Running offers protection against arthritis

Running can offer up to 12 years protection from the onset of osteoarthritis, doctors have said.

People who exercise often are less likely to develop the condition than inactive “couch potatoes”, they say.

Osteoarthritis is traditionally thought of as developing from “wear and tear” on the joints.

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