Your Good Health: Mobility problems can happen to anyone

From timescolonist.com

While it is true that not exercising can lead to poor tolerance, most of the time, it isn’t a person’s fault that they have difficulty with mobility 

Dear Dr. Roach: I’m 79 and can move around without any problem. However, it seems that many people — some younger than I am — have mobility problems. I wonder what causes this problem: lack of exercise, genes, weight, etc.? I walk five days a week, and my weight is normal.

E.G.

Be very grateful that you can move around without a problem, as most people in their late 70s do have mobility issues. The most common reason is osteoarthritis, but there are many causes. Neurological diseases, cardiovascular issues and other types of arthritis are additional causes. While it is true that not exercising can lead to poor tolerance, most of the time, it isn’t a person’s fault that they have difficulty with mobility. Arthritis can happen to a person of any weight and any level of exercise.

Exercise helps the vast majority of people improve their mobility, but there are exceptions. Many people with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome are intolerant of exercise, and overdoing it can lead their condition to worsen. This syndrome has also been known as systemic exertion intolerance disease. Well-meaning physicians, friends and family could have recommended exercise, which may have caused the person to have a flare-up.

Although being very overweight increases the risk of arthritis, having a normal weight doesn’t prevent development of arthritis. Genetic influences are very complicated, but they also have a role in the development of osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis can also come about as a result of significant trauma to a joint.

https://www.timescolonist.com/life/your-good-health-mobility-problems-can-happen-to-anyone-8466215