Athletes who are 50+ - what's your secret?
I am a sports-loving woman in my early 50's, and in the past few years I have gone through a seemingly-unending series of orthopedic injuries and joint pains.The Kaiser PT department is my home away from home. My doctor jokingly diagnosed me with "Falling Apart Syndrome." But in all honesty, I am getting sad, scared and depressed that I will soon have to give up playing my beloved sports, which are a huge source of joy for me. I know people can and do stay in their sports into their 60's and 70's. I want to be one of those people! My question for you fine folks... if you are over 50 and still play a sport, what do you think has allowed you to do it? I'm not just talking about staying active with things like running, hiking or cycling. I'm talking about playing the kinds of sports that require agility, strength, and even some physical contact (soccer, basketball, water polo, tennis). If you do one of those sports, how do you make it work? How often do you play? How much pain are you in afterward, and for how long? What other things do you incorporate into your life that you think help make it possible to keep playing? For context, I have all the basics covered. I do strength training a few times a week and have done for decades. I eat a healthy diet and get enough sleep. I'm on hormone replacement therapy for other symptoms of perimenopause. Insofar as is humanly possible, I keep my stress levels in check (partly through sport!)
If you are an older athlete, what has helped you be able to keep playing your sport as you age?
Parent Replies
OMG sister, you are me 16 years ago.... it's hard! I'm 66 and in the last few years have had injuries and pain that have me scared for sure. I played water polo for a bit, still competitive swim (though my times are going UP) and began the addictive and physically challenging sport of pickleball during Covid. Hard to see those younger getting better, being able to practice and play more, but I'm finding I have to have rest days. Hard because I like to do at least one sport daily. IDK, I am about to add massage (ugh) to my weekly regime, have been weight training but finding it painful. I think gratitude might be helpful, but to be honest, it's a daily concern.
I am also an older (former/ decades former!) athlete who would love to join a pickup basketball or any such game with other older women. Maybe those of us interested could start a group ? I’m in my 60’s.
Have you tried adding things like yoga, Pilates, or barre classes to your routine? Stretching, focusing on alignment and toning muscles that support the joints, as well as improving core strength, can really make a difference in terms of preventing injuries when it comes to sports that involve a lot of sudden movements, twisting, turning etc. like those you've listed. You may also want to look into supplements like collagen and creatine. Good luck!!
My (expensive) solution is a personal trainer. Almost weekly it seems I have a new friggin’ issue with my body! I’m 63 now. I used to be in denial about physical problems until they were serious. Or I would worry about aggravating a micro-injury and do too little. My weekly training has the goal of building and maintaining agility and strength for many decades. Every week I show up and we work with what is. It has been great for cultivating personal acceptance and self-love. Best of all, I’m stronger than I’ve been in years. Good Luck.
I don’t have answers (don’t play sports myself) but just wanted to say I was full of admiration as I was reading your post for how well you are taking care yourself and pursuing your passions. Hope you are able to continue to play sports for many years to come but alas all bodies do age, there’s a lot we can do (which it sounds like you’re doing it all) and the rest is some degree of acceptance for whatever we are still able to do in the present moment <3