Aches and Pains

[Anonymous]

For the past 15 years or so, I've been a moderate, but consistent, exerciser. I run maybe 5 - 7 miles a week, do some moderate weight lifting every couple of days, take yoga classes from time to time, etc. Nothing too hard core, but it's served me well over this time period, including through 2 pregnancies and recoveries.

But all of a sudden, it seems that even this moderate exercise is producing aches and minor injuries that I've never had before. One week my knee hurt for several days, I've had lower back pain and yesterday, I pulled a muscle near my shoulder. The injuries haven't been serious, fortunately, but they are happening with increasing frequency.

I'll be 50 in a couple of months. Is this age-related? And do I need to adjust my exercise routine in some way?

[Anonymous]

I would guess it is age related. I got tennis elbow when I was 50 and couldn't figure out a cause (no acute injury and no overuse). My orthopedist said that's what happens when you get older and implied that I should be prepared for more deterioration. So far no more injuries, but I am definitely more careful.