118. Vigorous exercise might be necessary to avoid bone and joint pain
Dr. David Geier is an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist in Charleston, South Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina. He helps athletes and active people feel and perform their best, regardless of age, injuries and medical history. He has been featured in major media publications and shows over 2,500 times throughout his career.
If you want to avoid bone and joint pain later in life, make sure to get at least one hard workout in each week. In a new study published in the journal PLOS ONE, researchers at the University of Portsmouth followed about 6,000 adults over age 50 for more than 10 years. They found that vigorous activity, like running, swimming or tennis, was associated with a lower risk of later musculoskeletal pain. Moderate exercise, like walking, or light activity, like doing household chores, did not reduce the risk of future pain. But even with vigorous exercise, it appears you have to work hard at least once a week to see the benefits in terms of less bone and joint pain.
Through the stories of a dozen athletes whose injuries and recovery advanced the field (including Joan Benoit, Michael Jordan, Brandi Chastain, and Tommy John), Dr. Geier explains how sports medicine makes sports safer for the pros, amateurs, student-athletes, and weekend warriors alike.
