In an article published in Well + Good, Harry King, an 81-year-old certified personal trainer, detailed his experience with knee arthritis and offered exercise tips to others with the condition. Mr. King revealed that he received his diagnosis at age 50, after which his physician advised him to avoid excessive walking or stair use and to only perform aquatic exercises. After 2 years, he visited a different physician and started practicing low-impact resistance exercises to strengthen the muscles in his legs and reduce the stress on his knee joints. Experts highlighted that Mr. King’s strategy may be effective at increasing blood flow, joint function, and mobility, as well as decreasing joint stiffness and pain. Mr. King recommended that patients with knee arthritis follow an active exercise regimen to improve muscle strength and joint health—including leg extensions for the quadriceps, hamstring curls, leg presses and squats for the upper leg muscles, and calf raises. He noted that if the exercises cannot be performed in a gym, patients can utilize alternative methods to work out their leg muscles. “We can’t give up our active lifestyles. It’s too important to be active at whatever level you can,” concluded Mr. King.
October 19, 2023