How often should one exercise per week to protect the joints?
April 21, 2022 | 30,00 EUR | answered by Eva Ziegler
Dear Doctor,
My name is Friedhelm Vollmann and I have a question regarding joint health. I am 54 years old and work as a craftsman, which means I am physically active all day long. Lately, however, I have noticed that my joints, especially my knees, hurt when climbing stairs or after long days of work. I am worried that I may be overloading my joints and causing long-term damage.
Therefore, I would like to know how often I should exercise per week to protect my joints and prevent pain. I have heard that regular exercise is important, but I am unsure about the optimal amount of exercise for me. Should I exercise daily or would a few times a week be enough? What type of exercise would be best for my joints?
I want to keep my joints healthy and avoid long-term damage, so I would be very grateful for your assessment and advice. I look forward to your response and thank you in advance for your help.
Best regards,
Friedhelm Vollmann
Dear Mr. Vollmann,
Thank you for your question regarding joint health. As a tradesman who is physically active all day, it is important to take care of your joint health to prevent long-term damage. It is understandable that you are concerned about your joints, especially if you experience pain when climbing stairs or after long workdays.
Regular physical activity is indeed important to strengthen the joints and prevent pain. However, it is also crucial to find the right balance to avoid overloading and injuries. In your case, I recommend that you engage in sports at least three to five times a week. You should ensure to include different types of movement in your training to protect your joints.
For the health of your joints, sports such as swimming, cycling, yoga, or Pilates are particularly suitable. These sports are joint-friendly and help strengthen the muscles around the joints. Swimming, for example, is an excellent way to relieve the joints as the water supports the body and reduces the stress on the joints. Cycling is also a good option as it is a joint-friendly endurance sport that strengthens the leg muscles.
It is important to pay attention to signals from your body and consult a doctor immediately if you experience pain or discomfort. In addition to regular physical activity, I recommend optimizing your diet and staying hydrated to support your joints. Wearing appropriate footwear and avoiding overweight can also help reduce the strain on your joints.
I hope this information helps you and that you can keep your joints healthy. If you have any further questions or need more detailed advice, I am happy to assist you. Thank you for your interest in your joint health and all the best for your future.
Best regards,
Eva Ziegler
