Let’s Get Physical: Helping Baby Boomers Stay Active and Reduce Their Risk Of Arthritis

(NC) – Whether it’s running or playing tennis, today’s baby boomers are the most physically active generation in history. However, many women in this age group don’t realize the damage these intense physical workouts may cause to their joints.

Exercises that involve running, jumping or pounding can cause damage to tendons, cartilage or bone, which may lead to arthritis. To maintain a healthy and active lifestyle for as long as possible, baby boomers need to take steps today to detect arthritis early, as well as prevent and delay symptoms of the disease.

To stay in tip top shape well into the golden years, women are advised to follow a few simple rules:

• Know Your Risk: Arthritis is now seen as a woman’s disease, affecting 2.8 million women Canada. Longer life expectancy as well as hormones and lifestyle differences may explain the higher prevalence of the disease in women. Shoppers Drug Mart, in conjunction with Arthritis Consumer Experts and Arthritis Research Centre of Canada, has developed the first and only arthritis screening designed specifically for women. Women can help assess the risk of developing arthritis with a simple questionnaire online or in person with their pharmacist.

• Warm Up: To prevent injury and prepare your body for strengthening and cardiovascular exercise, take each of your joints through its complete range of motion, particularly those that you’ll be using during your work-out.

• Lower the Intensity: Retire your marathon running shoes and pick-up your yoga mat instead. Research shows yoga or Pilates can decrease arthritis pain and lessen associated disability. Yoga also has many psychological benefits due to its meditative nature, such as relieving depression, anxiety and stress. Strength exercises, including range of motion (ROM) exercises e.g., shoulder shrugs, forward arm reaches, knee and ankle bends; strength training exercises and aerobic or cardiovascular exercises are also good options.

Learn more about arthritis screening from your Shoppers Drug Mart pharmacist, or visit www.shoppersdrugmart.ca