Roanoke
Salem
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QUESTION: I was
always active in sports as a young man, but now I seem to be perpetually
injured. Must I give up soccer and basketball after age 40?
ANSWER: Remaining athletic as we get older requires both physical and mental accommodations. Physically, we must pay more attention to stretching, as older muscles are less flexible and strain more easily. A proper warm-up and cool-down helps keep muscles and joints healthy. We should also include a weight lifting program, as muscle strength decreases ten to fifteen percent each decade past age 40. We also must change our mindset to continue our sports. A gentler approach, appreciating the competition more than a victory, will keep you off the sofa and on the playing fields. |
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WRITTEN BY: William M. Mirenda, Jr., M. D.
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