At 65, This Personal Trainer Knows Aging

I am a practicing physical therapist in Baltimore and have been personally involved in vigorous fitness activity for over 52yrs and counting. My clinical experience has ben concentrated in the areas of orthopedic and geriatric physical therapy. In my experience,especially within the past 15 plus yrs, I have treated many patients in the 45 to 60yr old group who have been over-trained in fitness clubs. I am by no means

casting blame on certified trainers as a group;however, in many circumstances the trainer allows the client's enthusiasm, as they both see positive results, to direct the progressionj and intensity of workouts. To over-simplify, the primary problem is the

disregard of the basics of tissue tolerance differences in exercise response due to

age factors. Not sufficient time or space here to discuss the physiology of

exercise, training responses, symptoms of over-training etc. In some gyms, clubs,

etc., "'so-called trainers" who are "graduates" of 2 day seminars are put out to the

unsuspecting public as a "certified trainer". There are as many organizations teaching

"trainers" as there are sugar substitutes. I feel the authentic and well-trained fitness

trainers should be careful when working with seniors monitor their responses to

exercise sessions carefully. Clients will not always mention their soreness, aches,etc from one session to the next because of their competitiveness, enthusiasm, or stupidity. Alterations from correct performance are often subtle and can be indication of impending injury or over-use syndrome often seen.

gymrat of MD 11:16PM November 19, 2009