Jane Fonda had a hip replacement a few years back. From an old New York Times Article, Whatever Happened to Jane Fonda in Tights?, some quotes from some former acolytes:
The quotes are anecdotal, and the plural of anecdote is not data. There are plenty of people who do aerobic activities with no adverse effects. Heredity plays a factor; perhaps it did in Fonda's case. The key is avoid or minimize those activities that are more likely to lead to injury and to not overdo it. As an insurance policy it would help to engage in personal training program that strengthens those joints that are prone to injury. One gifted runner was told by his doctor that he should never run a gain. He began strength training at our New Orleans facility. Every once in a while he would sneak in a run of a mile or so only to have to ice his knee afterward. He was pleased that he was able to strength training but frustrated that he could not run.
At Austin Personal Training and at New Orleans Fitness Training we have worked with those recovering injuries associated with aerobic activity. It is instructive that they can no longer perform certain aerobic activities, but they have no problem strength training using our equipment and protocol. We use MedX equipment that is more easily tolerated by the joints, we are able to restrict movement to a pain-free range of motion, and we lift the weights in a smooth fashion to avoid the jerking movements that lead to injuries.
Seniors are not generally placed in nursing homes for being out of breath; it is because they lack the strength to perform daily activities. You can lift weights long after your running days are over, and in the long run, strength is more important.
