Back Pain Is Common in Highly Active Older Adults

A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found many highly active older adults experienced back pain associated with poorer perceived and observed walking endurance, reports Medical Xpress . "Older adults are living longer and healthier active lives, so paying attention to conditions that may threaten independent function is increasingly important," says Dr. Eleanor Simonsick with the National Institute on Aging. "In this study, we found that back pain affected nearly half of well-functioning, highly active older adults. We also found that back pain was linked to less energy efficient walking and poorer endurance, which can lead to walking difficulties. These findings suggest that better back pain management may help older adults remain active and free of mobility limitation." The researchers note the importance of studying whether back pain may serve as a trigger for future loss of mobility in active older individuals.