The Boston Globe asked Marathon Physical Therapy’s Director of Services, Alex McKinney, MS, PT, LMT, CSCS to weigh in with advice for their article, “Tips for those starting running after 40.”
Here are a few excerpts from the article:
It is important that older runners understand the stress running places on the body. For starters, each foot hammers the ground 300 to 500 times per mile at a force of up to three times your body weight. Age reduces stride length, leg strength, and aerobic capacity, [McKinney] says, so he recommends getting a biomechanical assessment of risk for injury.
“Eating a well-balanced diet with plenty of water throughout the day is important for energy levels, blood flow, and tissue mobility, followed by eight hours of sleep to help release growth hormones within the body to accelerate the tissue-healing process,” McKinney said.
Learn more about Marathon’s programs for runners and triathletes.