Boomeritis
Boomeritis is a term I learned several years ago while reading an article about baby boomers. Since our generation ushered in the exercise craze, it should have been no surprise to learn that boomers were getting arthritis, tendonitis, bursitis, and many other “itis” type conditions.
According to www.medterms.com the proper definition is as follows:
Boomeritis: Injuries to older amateur athletes, especially those who are part of the Baby Boom, born when there was a marked rise in the birthrate following the end of World War II in 1945. As the Baby Boom generation began to turn 40 and 50, there was a veritable explosion of bone and joint aches, pains, injuries, and ailments — boomeritis. The term was coined by Dr. Nicholas A DiNubile, an orthopedic surgeon at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, in 1999.
I got a kick out of this the first time I read about it. I chuckled to myself and thought, it takes our generation to come up with another new word. At that time, I couldn’t relate. Several years later, I have a different perspective.
Next, I was reading another article which poked fun at boomers who are weekend warriors. They do nothing physical all week, then they put things in high gear on the weekends by biking too many miles or horseback riding for long hours leaving them stiff and sore on Monday.
Again, I chuckled. But then it dawned on me. These articles were speaking of me. Could that be? I remembered how I tore my ACL while playing tennis with my son one weekend. He was 18 at the time and I was, well a boomer. I’d hit a bit of tennis that summer, walked five days a week, but was in no shape to take my racket and go all out playing like I was a kid again.
The first half hour felt great. I was going strong and felt as if I could almost keep up with him. Then I turned to run and hit a backhand, and down I went. I knew what I’d done because I’d torn the other ACL years back while playing soccer with the kids. Will this old gal ever learn? It seems I’m in good company. According to an article written by Bill Pennington and published in the New York Times, sports-related injuries to baby boomers rose 33 percent between 1991 and 1998.
Since there are many other boomers facing boomeritis, I’ was just wondering if any of you cold relate?
Posted: June 16th, 2008 under American Values, Family, Food, Health.
Comments: 12
Comments
Comment from Dotsie
Time: June 16, 2008, 5:56 am
I guess it’s possible. You were probably using muscles you hadn’t used in some time.
How’d they do with their sale?
Comment from suzanne eller
Time: June 16, 2008, 6:27 am
They made nearly $500. Good for a lot of junk. I threw a few things out and made $60. I took Richard out for a steak dinner for Father’s Day. : )
Comment from Dotsie
Time: June 16, 2008, 6:32 am
Wow, best yard sale I’ve heard of in a long time.
Comment from Keri Wyatt Kent
Time: June 16, 2008, 9:48 am
Dotsie
definitely feeling it. I play tennis three days a week or better, but I recently decided to get back into running. my ankles are permanently sore.
best strategy–keep exercising but get regular massages!!
Comment from Dotsie
Time: June 16, 2008, 10:09 am
Keri, I have to agree. Stopping is not the answer. When we stop using it, I’m convinced we lose it. You go girl!
Comment from suzanne eller
Time: June 16, 2008, 10:20 am
I’ve been riding bikes with Richard. I was swimming, but the pool closed for the summer (??? - what are they thinkin?). Richard is biking four miles every morning, and I’m biking at night, but only a couple of miles and it’s kicking me in the hiney. But I’m determined to keep at it. I’m told it will get easier. : ) I do love it, though.
Comment from dianne
Time: June 16, 2008, 12:53 pm
oh THAT’s what’s happening to me?? gee, i wondered why i’m so sore!! this is so true but Suze is right - now is when it’s critical that we don’t stop and give in. but take care of ourselves - the aches and pains - yes!
Comment from Dotsie
Time: June 16, 2008, 12:56 pm
The pool closed for the summer? Is it indoor? Still…
It will get easier. All those muscles you use for biking will snap in to shape and you’ll be feeling great before you know it.
Comment from Dotsie
Time: June 16, 2008, 12:57 pm
dianne, what exercising are you doing?
I’m a walker. I walk about an hour, five times a week, but I’m getting antsy to do something else as well.
Comment from Flea
Time: June 16, 2008, 4:44 pm
Hmmm. I try and pretend that I know my limitations. Being a Gen Xer, I test my body’s limits and quit when it starts to hurt. That said, I’m a couch potato. Sad. But my Hunny? Out hanging sheets of cement board on the side of our house right now, wearing his weight belt to protect his back. Have had to rub him down with Tiger Balm several times this weekend, praying he doesn’t blow out his back.
Comment from Susan
Time: June 27, 2008, 12:36 am
hahah boomeritus, what a laugh. I keep pretty active as well, i found this link to a longevity calculator that is pretty interesting https://www.eons.com/calculator.
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Comment from suzanne eller
Time: June 16, 2008, 5:52 am
I helped my son and DIL host a garage sale this weekend. I climbed over boxes in storage, hoisted clothes racks, and pushed around large desks. On Saturday night I was achy, breaky and tired to the core. Today I’m great. : ) Maybe it was a touch of boomeritus.