If you are one of the many people who cannot imagine themselves sitting on a chair knitting or just reading newspapers and books for long period of hours during the retirement years, then you need to take care of your knees now. If you are active, athletic and you love the outdoors, you may already be hurting your knees without knowing it. Majority of the four million people in the US who are suffering from knee problems did not actually get their injuries from sports accidents or one-time events. Usually, knee woes develop overtime and people only discover their problems when it is already too late to cure.
If you love dancing, running, skipping, jumping, and doing strenuous exercises, you probably need to read the tips below so that you can continue having an active life when you reach your 70s or 80s:
Watch Your Weight
Individuals who are overweight and obese have higher risks of developing serious knee problems in the future. Thus, it is really advisable to maintain your ideal weight. Just being a few pounds overweight for decades can still have an impact on the health of your knees.
However, if you are already overweight or obese, you should lose weight safely. You cannot just jog for three hours everyday without consulting your doctor. Such extremely strenuous activity is proven to damage your knees.
Pay Attention To Your Form
If you are into sports or any other physical activities, you need to know how to move your feet and balance your body. From playing badminton to striking with your knees in Taekwondo, you need to know the proper stance. Doing things incorrectly can hurt not only your knees, but your back as well.
Warm Up And Cool Down
If you want to wake up in the morning hurting all over, all you need to do is to perform vigorous exercises without warming up and cooling down. Warming up is important to prevent injuries. Thus, even if you just plan to walk around with your dog, you need to warm your cold muscles by walking slowly at first before speeding up.
The best way to cool down is by stretching your muscles, particularly those located in your thighs and lower legs. You need to stretch after working out so that your tight muscles will be relaxed.
Use Good Athletic Shoes
Have you ever wondered why there are so many types of shoes for different sports and activities? The main reason behind this is not really because shoemakers just want to earn a lot of money. Actually, wearing the right pair of shoes can help reduce tension and strain on your knees and back. The spikes in soccer shoes and cushions in basketball shoes are not just for aesthetic purposes. You need them to lessen the impact on your joints and knees, and to keep you safe from injuries.
Be sure to buy shoes that fit well too – not too tight and not too loose. If you are very active, you also need to replace your shoes regularly.
Supplement With Chondroitin Sulfate And Glucosamine Sulfate
Both glucosamine and chondroitin are important in preserving and protecting your cartilage. Our bodies produce glucosamine naturally; however, as we grow older, the production of this stuff decreases.
Many people have already attested to the effectiveness of these two substances in helping prevent future joint problems. In fact, a number of athletes in the US and Europe are already taking supplements that contain these two ingredients. Phosoplex is one of the few products that contain the right amount of chondroitin and Glucosamine. If you want to know more about this product, just visit www.Phosoplex.com.
Sharon Bell is an avid health and fitness enthusiast and published author. Many of her insightful articles can be found at the premiere online news magazine www.healthnfitnesszone.com.