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Posted on Mar 31, 2008, 8 p.m.
By Jeanelle Topping
A growing interest in fitness and wellbeing among the over 50s has sparked a new trend of older people managing age-related joint pain by training and entering physically challenging events such as marathons.
A growing interest in fitness and wellbeing among the over 50s has sparked a new trend of older people managing age-related joint pain by training and entering physically challenging events such as marathons.
New figures show that the ageing population are ditching a sedentary life for a more active lifestyle, with almost 7,000 50 to 70 year olds preparing to run in this year's 26 mile London marathon.
However, a recent survey from LitoZin Joint Health revealed that almost three quarters of runners over the age of 45 suffer from regular joint pain.
Joint specialist Dr Kaj Winther said: "Many people with arthritic problems fear that exercise will make their conditions worse, but it is in fact lack of exercise that can lead to joint deterioration and pain.
"Rather than further damaging your arthritic joints, a regular program of moderate activity and stretching and strengthening exercises can reduce pain, improve mobility and increase the stability of arthritic joints by strengthening supporting muscles."
