Lutendo Phaswana_Aging athletes and injuries

THE HEALTH CORNER<br /> <br />  Muscle strength and muscle mass tend to weaken over time due to loss in our<br /> muscle fibers. Visits to the hip or knee doctor are common as areas of our<br /> body that experience constant use can wear out. Exercise and weight lifting<br /> can help slow down this process of aging.<br />  In addition to loss of muscle strength and mass, older athletes can also lose<br /> their flexibility over time. This makes them more susceptible to injury than<br /> younger athletes who are doing the exact same activities. No matter what<br /> age you are, stretching and warming up before an exercise is key to<br /> preventing injury, especially as you age.<br />  Most running related injuries have one thing in common — too much<br /> running. Over-exercise becomes even more dangerous as we age. Common<br /> symptoms include back pain, bursitis, stress fracture, hamstring injury,<br /> kneecap pain, shin splints, achilles tendonitis, heel pain, Morton’s Neuroma<br /> and more.