Strong muscles help stabilize joints and protect them from shock. But before hefting iron, have your doctor refer you to a physical therapist who can customize a regimen specifically for you. Regular exercise has the added benefit of helping you maintain a healthy weight. It's estimated that every pound you add to your frame places an extra 8 to 10 pounds on your hips, knees, and ankles. So losing even a few pounds can significantly lighten the load on overstressed joints.
Flat feet can place unequal pressure on knee joints and promote the degeneration of cartilage.
A podiatrist or chiropractor can order custom-fitted orthotics that support the arches and relieve joint stress. Joint injuries accelerate the advance of arthritis. It might seem superfluous to recommend caution, but the fact is many people never pause to consider that by signing up for the over-40 basketball league or engaging in that pickup game of rugby, they are compromising their potential to enjoy fishing and hunting activities for the rest of their lives. Take precautions in the field as well as on the court. And don't push it.