Looking For Advice: Looking After Joints and Muscles

[TGG]

Hello,

I'm a fairly seasoned commuter riding 18 - 30 miles a day and knocking on the door or 40 years old. Recently I've started to think I should be taking measures to preserve my joints and muscles as I don't want to be broken and worn out by the time I'm 60.

What sort of things should I be doing / eating etc? I've read various articles about taking glucosamine and cod liver oil but I'm unsure of their scientific validity.

Has anyone got any experience or advice?

Cheers.

TGG.

 

[jefmcg]

I think doing as much exercise as you do is better for your joints and muscles than being inactive. Use it or lose it, as they say

 

[raleighnut]

Just eat well, oily fish such as Salmon or Mackerel once or twice a week is good though.

 

[TGG]

:-) I tend to eat reasonably well, oily fish every other day and plenty of veg and porridge (but not at the same time! :-) ).

I just want to make sure I'm not missing out on something that I should be doing that would improve my longevity when it comes to cycling.

Is there anything else I should be doing?

Cheers.

TGG.

 

[vickster]

Stretching after riding (and any exercise), sports massage, add plenty of walking and swimming (I'd avoid football, rugby, martial arts for joint longevity), weight control, correct bike fit

Supplements have to be taken at the correct therapeutic doses to have effects, so check that out (can get quite expensive). Vitamin D and calcium are other ones for the musculoskeletal system

That said there are people riding into their 80s without issue. Can be real luck of the draw with arthritis for example

Tip from me - try not to get knocked off or fall off the bike...quick way to chronic injury

 

[TGG]

Good advice

 

[cyberknight]

Stretching after riding (and any exercise), sports massage, add plenty of walking and swimming (I'd avoid football, rugby, martial arts for joint longevity), weight control, correct bike fit

Supplements have to be taken at the correct therapeutic doses to have effects, so check that out (can get quite expensive). Vitamin D and calcium are other ones for the musculoskeletal system

That said there are people riding into their 80s without issue. Can be real luck of the draw with arthritis for example

Tip from me - try not to get knocked off or fall off the bike...quick way to chronic injury

Ride leader of the steady merica cc group was 70 the other week.

 

[vickster]

Indeed, and the average age of CTC riders is around 70 isn't it?

 

[GrumpyGregry]

If you don't already you may want to take up some form of exercise which ensures your lower body feet, legs, hips, is weight bearing and taking (gentle) impacts to stimulate the maintenance of bone density; but then I have idiopathic osteoporosis so I would say that.

Big fan of a cod liver oil and glucosamine (?sp?) capsule every morning.

 

[gurninman]

Also... make sure you get plenty of sleep

 

[Joshua Plumtree]

A visit to the gym a couple of times a week - a few weights and use of their static equipment will help to preserve/increase bone density.

Perhaps finish with 15 minutes on one of their rowing machines. No need to use the exercise bikes, methinks!