Q: Hi Gina, Can you please suggest a treadmill workout for 45 years of age male, problem with knees had operation MCL?? He has been doing a lot of single leg work to balance out muscles imbalances. He is a very
fit male, teaches boys rugby, trains at the gym 3-4x weekly. He has always been into fitness, running etc, before his operation. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciate.
A: Thank you for your question. It depends on how long he had his surgery. If it was very recent, I suggest he continues with his regular single leg work and incorporates cardio on the treadmill, bike, eliptical, and step-mill, if he can. Slow and stead, as his recovery continues. Now if he is a few years post operation, he should be fine to get moving on a regular cardiovascular program. I suggest CHANGE always so I wouldn’t recommend always just the treadmill, as his means of cardio. I would suggest always varying machines, changing intensity, intervals, levels, maybe even use weights while on the machines. For example, he can do walk, jog, sprint, intervals and incorporate holding weights or wearing a weight vest for some of his slower/longer duration cardio, for example treadmill walking on an incline while holding moderate weight dumbbells.
It really depends on how his recovery has been and his particular limitations based on his post operation. They say that after operations your muscles come back stronger so if he use to be an active guy and enjoyed running, fitness etc., he should be back in action, able to push himself, in no time, if not already!
I would suggest trying different machines with different intensities. Vary levels, incline, speed, utilize weights etc.
I cannot stress enough that it depends on his recovery, release from the doctor and how his personal post operation has gone. I do not suggest jumping right into something without A) the release from a doctor and B) without easing into a cardiovascular program.
The body is an amazing machine and the recovery is unbelievable!
Best of luck to him!