The aging athlete: part 1, "boomeritis" of the lower extremity

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this review is to describe the physiologic changes that occur in the musculoskeletal system during aging and the common injuries that occur in the lower extremity as a consequence of these changes. Several clinical presentations are addressed, and their differential diagnoses are discussed with an emphasis on the most likely injury for each presentation.

Conclusion: A unique quality of the newly aging group of people referred to as baby boomers is their expectation to continue exercising as they grow older, thus the incidence of exercise-induced injuries among older people is increasing. The concepts behind factors that predispose older athletes to certain pathologic conditions that affect the muscles, tendons, and bones of the lower extremity must be understood.