London: Thousands of silver sprinters plan to join their younger counterparts in this years London Marathon.
A greater interest in fitness and wellbeing is thought to be driving the trend, with nearly 1 in 10 participants falling into the over 50 age bracket in this years marathon (1).
The new figures contradict the traditional image of the over 50s leading a sedentary life as nearly 7,000 50-70 year olds gear up to run in this years competitive 26 mile race, on the 13th April.
However, while experts applaud an active ageing population, theyre also offering a word of warning, given that a recent survey from LitoZin Joint Health©, revealed 74% of runners over the age of 45 suffer from regular joint pain. Joint specialist Dr. Kaj Winther urges participants not to overdo final training sessions and to help keep their joints lubricated by dosing up on a natural supplement such as Litozin Joint Health, which can help reduce joint inflammation and keep niggling pains at bay.
Many people with arthritic problems fear that exercise will make their conditions worse, but it is in fact lack of exercise that can lead to joint deterioration and pain, explains Dr Winther. Rather than further damaging your arthritic joints, a regular program of moderate activity and stretching and strengthening exercises can reduce pain, improve mobility and increase the stability of arthritic joints by strengthening supporting muscles.
To protect your joints when preparing for a marathon, remember the following:
Invest in properly fitted, well cushioned running shoes.
Dont overdo training in the final days before the race to minimise muscular aches and pains.
Do not train if you have flu, a fever or stomach bug and only start gentle training, build up again gradually once you have fully recovered.
Make sure you include plenty of carbs in your training diet in the run up to the race
Drink plenty of fluids before and during the marathon.
Make sure you stretch and warm up your muscles before you begin.
Take a natural rosehip supplement to help keep joints mobile and pain free. LitoZin Joint Health® contains the anti-inflammatory active ingredient GOPO®, which is derived from Rosa canina, a type of rose-hip.
The anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory benefits of GOPO have been proven to offer long-term relief from joint pain and an increase in joint mobility. GOPO has an active benefit on all types of joint pain making it particularly suitable for sports related joint pain, explains Dr Winther.
Studies also show that due to its anti-inflammatory properties, GOPO is more effective at reducing pain and improving mobility than other supplements for joint pain, such as glucosamine.
More about the survey
©The LitoZin Joint Health Sports Survey was undertaken with 500 men and women across the UK in August 2007 and looked at the impact on joint health of various sporting activities amongst groups of men and women in the under 45 and over 45 age groups, who all undertook 10 hours or more of light exercise a month. Any statistics taken from this release must be referenced to the LitoZin Joint Health Sports Survey.
LitoZinâ Joint Health is available in Boots, Superdrug, Holland & Barrett, independent pharmacies and health food stores, and is priced at £19.99 for 120 capsules. For more information on LitoZinâ Joint Health, please see www.litozin.co.uk
About Lanes
G R Lane is one of the major natural medicine companies in the UK and manufactures well-known products such as Olbas, Kalms, Quiet Life and Aquaban.
Established in the 1930s by Gilbert Lane – an early supporter of the idea that we can improve our health through diet and the use of carefully selected plants and nutrients Lanes remains a family owned business and is chaired by Gilberts grand-daughter, Janet Lane.