In case you thought otherwise, you’re never too old to run. Even older adults can withstand a running routine, according to Adam Tenforde, a sports medicine physician at Mass General Brigham. It is a safe form of exercise, reports Anna Lamb for the Harvard Gazette.
Tenforde himself loves to run. It’s his primary form of exercise. And, it’s OK to do it, even if you hurt some after running. The question is only whether the pain goes away or worsens when you are active.
If the pain improves with activity. Then your injury is not terribly significant in most cases. If the pain worses with activity, then you might be damaging your tissues and continuing the activity could cause greater injury.
You might also consider whether the pain you experience is causing you to change the way you move. That can stress and worsen other joints and tissues for the worse. If that happens then you need to stop doing what you’re doing and figure out what is the primary cause of the pain.
Running should not affect your joints. When you run, your joints, along with your muscles, tendons, and bones all adapt. Your cartilage needs the load you get from running to stay strong.
For sure, some physical activity is key. You want to avoid being overweight. People who are overweight are at higher risk of heart disease and diabetes, among other chronic conditions.
How much running is too much? There’s not a lot of data. But, some believe that more than 20 miles increases your risk of injury. Of course, it depends upon the person.
People can run if they choose, even though they have arthritis in their knees or hips. They simply must find ways to keep inflammation down. Talk to your doctor about the best way to do so.
Here’s more from Just Care:
- Why exercise in the water?
- What counts as enough exercise?
- Exercise can help an aging brain
- Vigorous exercise found to ward off dementia
- Strength training promotes longevity
