I am an 81 year old man and have osteoarthritis in my knees. To improve my walking I do leg exercises with weights around my ankles. Is that sensible?
Joris Bartstra, journalist with medical diploma
I don’t think it will hurt the joints. Running or jumping causes shocks in the joints, releasing forces that are much stronger than what you do with the controlled movement in these exercises. The extra counterforce will make the training more intensive and therefore more effective. Well-trained muscles can absorb the shocks much better.
Would you also like to ask doctor Joris Bartstra a question? Then click here. Don’t forget to include your name, age and gender. If your question is also interesting for others, Joris will answer it and publish it in Plus Magazine.