Persons who exercise regularly often find themselves eating more and weighing less. Others will find that their diet does not change, but that their proportions alter since fat takes up more room than muscle. Unless a person has been an active runner, older people should not take on running or jogging. The additional stresses placed upon joints far outweigh the value gained from running. For many older people, connective tissue is not very elastic.
Orthopedic injuries are common among runners of all ages.
Forms of exercise other than running are preferable for the person 55 and older. It is recommended that seniors have a complete physical exam before starting any exercise program. They should follow the basic training by the American College of Sports Medicine for strength training. Seniors have trained in this manner with excellent strength results, high compliance, and essentially no injuries. The basic stimulus for strength development is progressive resistance.