My reply didn't really add anything to the original question but I felt the urge to post this reply so I brought it over here - Q
Quote:
Originally posted by Kaiser:
I especially like the part about whether you want to continue traumatic shock type sports if you have chronic knee (or any kind of lower body joint) problems. I've had to slowly give up or pare back the things I used to love (running, basketball, football, soccer, tennis) in order to remain mobile and functional as I get older. But I've been able to replace those activites with others that are less jarring on my knees (cycling, climbing, lifting).
Interestingly, I was able to do 'ass to the ground' squats for the first time in 12 years the other day. A testament to protecting the knees, strengthening the lower body muscles and, of course, G+C. 
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This is really very interesting to me because I gave up my life-sport, basetball, a little over four years ago for the exact same reasons you list, Kaiser... to remain mobile and functional as I get older. I also gave up the jogging (not running) that I'd done essentially to improve my stamina for b-ball.
I got to where I was having difficulty walking confortably much of the time, especially the three flights of steps at work. My knees popped incessantly and there was some soreness/pain involved. I wanted to be able to maintain my mobility so I quit playing altogether. I had an orthopedist tell me to quit playing but I think that was because of some lower back problems I was having periodically, too.
Anyway, I ran into this
well know physical therapist not too long ago who caused me to question the limitations I'd set on myself. Since then, I've done such things as sprinting as a part of HIIT, started playing raquetball once a week and, just recently, I've gone back to playing basketball some.
As you stated, I think that a lot of the turn around has been from taking up squatting as a part of my training (not flexible enough yet for ass-to-grass), which I didn't do when I was playing b-ball. When I quit playing b-ball, I looked and looked for something that was as engaging as b-ball and, after a while, found the weight room. Now, I don't have back pain and can do a lot of these things that I had previously given up for the rest of my life!
I don't play for hours on end anymore, however. I moderate the time that I'm putting stress on my knees and, so far, it seems to be working. If I go too long, I'll get some swelling but, if I just take it in moderation and keep up with my weight training, I can still participate... which is important to me.
I have been taking the G-T, too, for a couple of year but can't tell if it's any benefit or not. I haven't quit taking it to find out! I don't have any significant pain, just periodic soreness and a little stiffness... but it all goes away in time.
For me, it's a matter of management. I may be totally wrong about my approach but I feel that I can extend my playing years a bit more without any significant cost to the health of my knees. I'm not, however, training to compete as vin is doing so my post is totally irrelevant to the thread! [img]redface.gif[/img]
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