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2013-02-07 7:14 AM

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Subject: Start Running After 40, More Harm Than Good

My wife works at a retirement facility with a physician on staff. This physician told her that starting to run after the age of 40 is more harmful than good.  Of course my wife was a little concerned since she has recently started running/jogging.  When my wife told me this I laughed and told her that is the worst advise I've ever heard.  This got me thinking, is there any proof of this claim?

So my question to the group, is there any scientific proof that running after the age of 40 with no previous running experience is more harmful than good?  Is there evidence to the contrary?  I'm trying to keep an open mind here, but good grief!



2013-02-07 7:25 AM
in reply to: #4612354

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Expert
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Subject: RE: Start Running After 40, More Harm Than Good
I think you have to be smart about it as, at least for me, I heal and recover slower as I age.  Other than that, I think that is misguided advice.  Remember 50% of MDs graduated in the bottom half of their class.
2013-02-07 7:28 AM
in reply to: #4612374

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Subject: RE: Start Running After 40, More Harm Than Good

yeah, and that 50% is the other half of the top three percent.

but I agree, I think it's bs.  Take it easy getting started, keep your goals realistic.

2013-02-07 7:28 AM
in reply to: #4612374

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Subject: RE: Start Running After 40, More Harm Than Good

Oysterboy - 2013-02-07 8:25 AM I think you have to be smart about it as, at least for me, I heal and recover slower as I age.  Other than that, I think that is misguided advice.  Remember 50% of MDs graduated in the bottom half of their class.

I like this. Reminds me of the joke - Q: What do you call the person who graduated last in their class in Med School? A: Doctor

As long as she's smart about it, listens to her body, and adds miles slowly there should be no reason she isnt' fine. Perhaps she would like to get a physical from her primary care provider and then discuss the issue with them.

2013-02-07 7:39 AM
in reply to: #4612354

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Master
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Subject: RE: Start Running After 40, More Harm Than Good
Don't know of any studies, but like many things, its just one guy's possibly informed or not-so informed opinion. I, for one, based on personal experience, think he's full of cr*p, as long as you start slow (Couch-to-5k!!) and listen to your body, it can be fantastic exercise.
2013-02-07 7:43 AM
in reply to: #4612354

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Subject: RE: Start Running After 40, More Harm Than Good

Not a doctor, but a lifelong runner.....I think this is largely hogwash, with a small core of truth. The sad truth is that sedentary people tend to get fatter and sicker as they age. By age 40 or even before, there is probably sizable cohort who would be at serious risk of injury or cardiac issues were they to suddenly jump into a high-impact sport like running. Thus it would be a good idea for anyone to get a decent checkup before starting, and people of any age who have underlying orthopedic issues or are substantially overweight may be better off starting with lower-impact exercise like walking, swimming, or biking, and in some cases, sticking to that. In other cases they might be able to start running safely after losing some weight and developing some basic fitness.

But in my mind, this is sensible advice for any beginner. Many of all ages start running, overdo it, get injured, and quit.  My mother is in her mid 70's, lean, and has been active all her life, particularly with cycling. I have no doubt she'd be able to handle a light running program if that interested her (which it doesn't!). I've also worked with pre-teens who could not handle even casual running without some serious weight loss and basic conditioning first.  One only needs to look at the performance of some incredible athletes who started running later in life to realize that age need not be as limiting as many believe.



2013-02-07 7:49 AM
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Subject: RE: Start Running After 40, More Harm Than Good
My wife thinks I'm nuts because of all of the physical challenges I put my body through.  Cycling up mountains is at the top of her list of nutty things that I do.  I'm not sure I can convince her of much.  This is why I'm looking for science to prove to her that this physician is full of crap.

Edited by jbholcom 2013-02-07 8:10 AM
2013-02-07 7:50 AM
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2013-02-07 7:52 AM
in reply to: #4612354

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Subject: RE: Start Running After 40, More Harm Than Good
I think, because of the slower healing /recovering, that the older we start the slower we must build. Perhaps slower than the 10% rule. But you asked for science, not my opinion. The only paper I recall wasn't specifically about this, but either a medical examiner that was a runner.. Or.. Ok, I don't even remember who did it because it was a long time ago, but someone looked at the knees of runners post-mortem and his observations indicated that the condition of knees wasn't dependant on mileage, but rather the most damaged knees were on people that had built to their mileage the most rapidly.
Don't recall how he collected the data, but less adaptation time = more slop/uneven wear/friction makes sense.
2013-02-07 7:53 AM
in reply to: #4612354

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Signal Mountain, Tennessee
Subject: RE: Start Running After 40, More Harm Than Good

I wonder what the Turbaned Tornado would say about this?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/oct/17/worlds-oldest-marathon-runner-100



Edited by jbholcom 2013-02-07 7:56 AM
2013-02-07 8:05 AM
in reply to: #4612354

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Subject: RE: Start Running After 40, More Harm Than Good
Don't believe it for a minute, I didn't start to run untill I was 50. Provided you take the appropriate measures before starting and get checked over and then take a very easy progressive approach to it I certainly think that you would be hard pressed to be Less healthy after starting running.


2013-02-07 8:21 AM
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Subject: RE: Start Running After 40, More Harm Than Good

I'll come at it from the other direction.  Just a N=1 sample, but I think that waiting until my early 50's to start serious endurance training has been an advantage for me since I don't have years of wear & tear on my body. 

I have always been active athletically, but before age 50 it was primarly school sports (football & wrestling), then tennis and many years of weight training. Certainly my recovery time is longer now than it was, but at the same time I've been able to increase my total annual running volume significantly over the last couple of years, mostly through consistency.

I'll just add that the only significant injury that I've suffered in my triathlon training can be directly attributed back to an ill-fitting pair of running shoes.

Mark

 

 

 



Edited by RedCorvette 2013-02-07 8:25 AM
2013-02-07 8:24 AM
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Subject: RE: Start Running After 40, More Harm Than Good
It's amazing what people will come up with to justify their lack of motivation to exercise.
2013-02-07 8:28 AM
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Subject: RE: Start Running After 40, More Harm Than Good
Is the doc in question fat?  That would play into his/her own rationalization issues.
2013-02-07 8:42 AM
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Ontario Canada
Subject: RE: Start Running After 40, More Harm Than Good

Here You go

http://www.thelocal.se/18042/20090306/

http://blog.aarp.org/2012/08/28/the-real-benefit-of-exercise-after-50/

 

 

Just a couple theres tons of study's out there almost all Positive.

 

2013-02-07 8:46 AM
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Subject: RE: Start Running After 40, More Harm Than Good

One word:  poppycock!

 

I've always wanted to say that.



2013-02-07 8:47 AM
in reply to: #4612490

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Signal Mountain, Tennessee
Subject: RE: Start Running After 40, More Harm Than Good

Bodaggit - 2013-02-07 9:28 AM Is the doc in question fat?  That would play into his/her own rationalization issues.

This doc is a black female, younger, tall, and slender.  Not want I expected.

2013-02-07 8:49 AM
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Signal Mountain, Tennessee
Subject: RE: Start Running After 40, More Harm Than Good
RRH_88 - 2013-02-07 9:42 AM

Here You go

http://www.thelocal.se/18042/20090306/

http://blog.aarp.org/2012/08/28/the-real-benefit-of-exercise-after-50/

 

Just a couple theres tons of study's out there almost all Positive.

 

Sweet, thanks!

2013-02-07 8:52 AM
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Subject: RE: Start Running After 40, More Harm Than Good
I joined a YMCA run club 3 months before I turned 40, did my first 5 K and sprint tri weeks before turning 40. I turn 44 this May and will be training for IMAZ. I will admit I had some injuries my first 2 years probably doing too much too soon but got through them and have been injury free for 2 years. I am also no small girl at 5'9" 155, not a runners build. That doc is an idiot.
2013-02-07 9:08 AM
in reply to: #4612536

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Signal Mountain, Tennessee
Subject: RE: Start Running After 40, More Harm Than Good

KeriKadi - 2013-02-07 9:52 AM I joined a YMCA run club 3 months before I turned 40, did my first 5 K and sprint tri weeks before turning 40. I turn 44 this May and will be training for IMAZ. I will admit I had some injuries my first 2 years probably doing too much too soon but got through them and have been injury free for 2 years. I am also no small girl at 5'9" 155, not a runners build. That doc is an idiot.

Awesome achievement!

I've been using the term crackpot in reference to this "doctor". Laughing

2013-02-07 9:18 AM
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Subject: RE: Start Running After 40, More Harm Than Good

As a non-athlete I got a full physical prior to starting tri's (post age 40).  Doc said that starting to run was a very good way to help avoid osteoporosis.  He thought it was an excellent idea. 



2013-02-07 9:43 AM
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Subject: RE: Start Running After 40, More Harm Than Good
As my drill instructor used to say "That is Bull Feces"!  Studies have shown that running helps older runners by strengthening their joints and bones.  After a long lay off from not running I started up again at age 47, that was seven years ago.  Since then I have run 8 marathons and averaged 40 mpw.  I do not have any joint problems and feel better now than I did at 40.
2013-02-07 11:09 AM
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Subject: RE: Start Running After 40, More Harm Than Good

I went to my doctor recently. Told him about my Ironman training. I am 44, 5'6" and 130lbs. My resting HR in the office was 43. He said my HR was too low, and I was too skinny (less than 7% body fat). I had great cholesteral numbers, great blood pressure (a bit low according to him, again). No prostate problems or diabetes indicators. I guess when 99% of your patients are the direct opposite of me I can see why he would say I am not normal.

I don't like when people (even doctors) make blanket statements. If you were to take the average, obese, over 40 year old, and told them to start running, I can see that he may say that it might do more harm than good. If you have never run before and are 200lbs over weight, running isn't the best option. It is like every form of exercise. Start slowly, get good instruction, and don't over do it.



Edited by DeVinci13 2013-02-07 11:09 AM
2013-02-07 11:22 AM
in reply to: #4612354

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Subject: RE: Start Running After 40, More Harm Than Good
Doctors fix bones, perform surgery and prescribe drugs. None of these make them exercise physiologists. There are countless studies out there that contradict what the doctor said. Buy her a copy of 'The Runner's Body' and maybe she will change her opinions (which is what they are).
2013-02-07 12:50 PM
in reply to: #4612354

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Subject: RE: Start Running After 40, More Harm Than Good

One of my mom's friends just spent a month in a rehab for a work related shoulder injury.  He couldn't wait to warn me about how many people he met in the facility that were former runners there for knee replacements and under age 50.

If I had a dime for everyone who told me that running was going to ruin my body, I'd have a lot of dimes.

Every person's experience will be different.  A friend of mine already had her hip replaced at 30 due to genetic degeneration and her running had sped up the inevitable; conversely, I know people continuing to PR their marathon times well into their 50's with no history of injuries or issues.

You never know what your experience will be until you try and you can't apply someone else's experience as the standard.

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