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Autumn is the perfect season for hiking—with clear skies and distant views, climbing not only refreshes the mind but also strengthens the body. However, hiking is not suitable for everyone. Recently, several patients suffering from joint pain due to excessive mountain climbing have visited the Rehabilitation Department of the Xiangyang Railway Central Hospital in Hubei Province. Doctors warn that hiking should be done according to one’s physical ability, and four particular groups should be especially cautious about climbing.
First, certain chronic disease patients should avoid hiking. In addition to those with heart disease and hypertension, other chronic conditions such as joint pain, chronic nephritis, kidney disease, blood disorders, chronic bronchitis, pulmonary heart disease, diabetes with complications, gout, lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis, rheumatic diseases, and liver cirrhosis are also not advisable for mountain climbing. Even if chronic disease sufferers do climb, they should go slowly and not push themselves to reach the summit.
Second, middle-aged people who don’t exercise regularly should not suddenly engage in intense hiking activities. Middle-aged individuals have unique responsibilities, balancing both work and family. They are often busy with their careers and daily lives, rarely having time to exercise, resulting in relatively weak physical fitness and low endurance. Suddenly taking up hiking, with a sharp increase in activity and sudden physical strain, can easily trigger cardiopulmonary diseases.
Third, elderly people with weak constitutions and those with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases should avoid hiking. The functions of various organs in the elderly gradually decline, and hiking is a high-oxygen-consuming activity that demands significant physical effort. For the elderly, hiking can increase the cardiac workload and may easily induce illness—especially for those with chronic coronary insufficiency, hiking is not suitable.
Fourth, patients with joint diseases should avoid hiking. For example, individuals with lumbar spinal stenosis may experience a posterior shift in the body's center of gravity while descending, causing the lumbar spinal canal to narrow more than usual, which can worsen symptoms of lower back and leg pain. People with osteoporosis, due to calcium deficiency leading to impaired coordination among nerves, muscles, ligaments, and joints, are prone to ankle sprains or cramps when descending. Elderly individuals with poor joint health will face additional knee joint strain during hiking, which can exacerbate cartilage wear or even damage bone tissue, resulting in joint swelling, pain, and other discomforts.
Be sure to do proper warm-up exercises before hiking; avoid excessive intensity while climbing, and take a short rest every 20 minutes or so. In cold weather, consider wearing knee pads and pay attention to keeping warm.