Jogging offers some excellent cardiovascular and overall health benefits for the young as well as the young at heart. As you get older, though, you need to take extra precautions, as your body cannot handle the same amount of strain that it once did. If you want to continue jogging or even begin jogging in your sixties, familiarize yourself with the potential hazards.
Dehydration
Anyone can become dehydrated after prolonged periods of strenuous activity, but as you get older, you must especially take caution. In your sixties, you have a much lower proportion of body water than you had when you were younger, and this leaves you much more susceptible to the effects of dehydration. If you begin to feel parched, lightheaded or hot, stop jogging immediately. Always keep a bottle of water with you when jogging.
Cold Injuries
Cold injuries refer to injuries that occur due to an an inability (or reduced ability) to adapt to temperature changes. These types of injuries include hypothermia, frostbite and trench foot (a painful numbness and severe swelling of the feet). People in their sixties and later are much more susceptible to these types of effects than young runners due to a combination of decreased muscle mass, loss of subcutaneous fat and a diminished ability of the body to properly detect temperature changes (prescribed medications can also have an effect). Always dress appropriately when jogging in cool or cold weather.
Cardiovascular Sensitivities
If you have enjoyed regular running for years, your body can likely handle the challenge of moderate daily jogging. If you want to begin a new jogging regimen in your sixties, however, first contact your physician and undergo a physical to determine your physical abilities. A doctor can help you to determine the amount of vigorous activity that you can handle. If you have lived a largely sedentary or inactive lifestyle over recent months or years, you will need to start slowly. Your body cannot handle the kind of abuse that it once did, and jogging places a lot of strain on the heart. You must also consider the strain on your breathing. If you suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), you may lose your ability to breathe while jogging.
Sensory Hazards
As you get older, your senses can weaken. If you don't jog in well-lit areas, you may have an elevated risk of injury due to decreased eyesight and/or balance. A doctor can further help you to determine these risks, and you can protect yourself by always jogging during the day and/or in well-lit locations. If you begin to feel even the slightest discomfort, tiredness or nausea, stop jogging at once.
Individualized Approach
There is no "one-size-fits-all" approach to determining the health of joggers in their sixties. What feels effortless to one person may prove paralyzing for another. Listen to your body, use common sense, stay hydrated and always talk to your doctor before beginning any kind of new exercise regimen.
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