Exercising after 50

Great examples of citizen athletes bouncing back from the consequences of aging are found in "Exercising after age 50," an article from the McClatchy-Tribune News Service.

One of them is Minneapolis, Minn., resident Dick Anderson, who at age 52, had to give up rock climbing. But he then took up cross-country skiing and kayaking with a passion. "I found that I needed to be active to feel complete as a person," he said.

The key is letting one's body heal and recover from a serious setback. Returning too soon to a level of activity that a younger person could handle has a name.

It's called "incomplete rehabilitation sysndrome," according to Mark Richards, vice president of program development for the Edina, Minn.-based Welcyon Fitness After 50 clubs.

As frustrating as it is to be unable to run, bike or ski as much as one desires, it is comforting to know that knowledgeable experts and helpful programs like this exist in the Midwest.