Regain Your Peak Performance

Rehabilitation for the Aging Athlete

"We do not stop moving because we grow old...We grow old because we stop moving!"

The term “aging athlete” describes the 40- to 60-year-old individual who has either continued or lately adopted exercise and sport participation into adulthood.  Although this is a welcome change from the worrisome sedentary lifestyle often found among older Americans, vigorous physical activity in this population does pose its own set of problems.

Studies show that regular exercise can slow down or even reverse many of the physical consequences of aging.  However, as we age, many changes occur in our bodies that can predispose the aging athlete to chronic and overuse injuries.  After age 30, people start losing muscle mass and after age 40, bone mass decreases.  Tendons and ligaments become less elastic and thus easier to tear.  According to a study published in October 2005, “chronic and overuse injuries account for approximately 70% of injuries in veteran athletes age 60 and older, whereas only 41% of younger athletes—ages 21-25—are affected by these same injuries.” 

Variations of the Aging Athlete

Concerns of the Aging Athlete

How Can the Aging Athlete Prevent Injury?

How Can Physical Therapy Help the Aging Athlete 

3 Variations of the Aging Athlete

It has been proposed that there are 3 main types of aging athlete: the older athlete, the former athlete, and the prematurely mature athlete. 

The older athlete (age >50) has maintained a consistent fitness level since adolescence.  This athlete’s main concern is an acute injury that is preventing him/her from participating in their chosen activity.  An example may be a 65 year-old softball player with a medial meniscus tear in his knee. 

The former athlete (age <50) is somewhat younger and tends to be deconditioned. This athlete pursues a nonaerobic activity like golf.  His or her injury is usually degenerative in nature, such as rotator cuff tendonitis. 

The prematurely mature athlete (age 25-45) is still younger and has a history of significant injury.  This individual has a high degree of traumatic arthritis and is sometimes described as a “knee abuser.”  He or she continues to participate in high-demand activities despite disability, swelling, and pain.

Concerns of the Aging Athlete

Osteoarthritis (OA) is often a significant complaint in the aging athlete population because the majority of older athletes have been physically active since a very young age.  OA is a wearing away of the cartilage that covers the end of a bone and provides protection and shock absorption for a joint.  This process usually occurs in weight-bearing joints like the knees, and is exacerbated by repetitive stress and excess weight.  Some aging athletes are concerned that playing sports will make their OA worse.  Because arthritis is a naturally occurring condition, exercise will not cause additional damage but may increase symptoms like pain or swelling.  However, some studies do show that exercise reduces pain in individuals suffering from OA.

How Can the Aging Athlete Prevent Injury?

With all of the variables to take into account, what should the aging athlete do to prevent injury and continue to enjoy physical activity for years to come?  It is helpful to modify your sport regularly to enable your body to rest from the same continuous pattern of wear and tear.  For example, a runner can switch to cycling, or a tennis player can switch from singles to doubles tennis.  Flexibility training is important to prevent muscle or other soft tissue tears.  Good flexibility also enhances proper alignment and posture for more efficient performance.  Strengthening and conditioning of muscles not only improves power of performance, but it enables the body to better absorb repetitive impacts.  Cardiovascular fitness also should not be neglected, as heart disease is a major health concern in the aging population.

How Can Physical Therapy Help the Aging Athlete?

An aging athlete should discuss their goals with a healthcare professional such as a physical therapist that can evaluate their needs and prescribe an appropriate training program.  A physical therapist can also analyze the movement patterns of an individual to correct flawed form and help prevent further injury from occurring.  With the guidance of a healthcare professional and the adoption of preventative measures, an aging athlete can continue playing and training in health for years to come.