Snow shoveling not for those 45 and older

[The Straight Story]

Snow shoveling not for those 45 and older


PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 5 (UPI) -- Just in time for an unaccustomed snow event in the Mid-Atlantic, a Pennsylvania expert reminds those 45 and older not to shovel snow because it can kill you.

Dr. Susan Wainwright, vice chairwoman of the department of physical therapy at University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, warns shoveling snow -- an extremely strenuous activity -- can cause those in poor physical shape and not be prepared for the stress of shoveling snow to sustain muscle pulls, back injuries and strains.

"Snow shoveling can also strain the heart and cause potentially life threatening injuries, such as a heart attack," Wainwright said in a statement. She recommends men and women age 45 and older, especially those who are not physically active or have a history of a heart condition, should have someone shovel snow.

http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2010/02/05/Snow-shoveling-not-for-those-45-and-older/UPI-86801265410194/

[rox63]

1. For relatively fit people over 45, shovelling snow shouldn't be a problem

It's like any other strenuous activity.

[havocmom]

3. And, depending on the actual water content, snow isn't always that tought to move

Were I live, snow is almost always very dry and light. Looks impressive, weighs nothing.

[Thothmes]

43. Agree

last Sunday, spent 4 hours shoveling snow off my driveways, sidewalks and those of the widow lady that lives next to me. Not bad for 63 years old, I guess.

[itsrobert]

2. Another stupid idiot with a degree

I can do more than most men half my age.

[LiberalFighter]

30. Does this expert know that doing something in moderation is also an option.

She probably doesn't shovel snow.

[CreekDog]

4. Dry snow is not much of a problem

In the Intermountain West, the snow is often light and fluffy.

[htuttle]

9. In the Midwest, snow gets like concrete

It's usually heavy when it comes down and if it sits any length of time it turns to solid ice.

[glinda]

18. Yuppers. That is why I called someone to help my 80 yr. old parents last time.

[glinda]

19. Yuppers. That is why I called someone to help my 80 yr. old parents last time.

[we can do it]

52. This Is Why I Keep Up With It - Then No Problem

I like the people who keep driving over when it snows for a week - then have a glacier for a driveway when it hasn't snowed for 2 weeks and they are out on a nice sunny day trying to chisel the shit off

[tazkcmo]

5. Yay!

Personally, I'm taking her advice!

[CBHagman]

6. It depends on the shovel and the snow...

The lightweight shovel I use nowadays is much easier and more effective than the clunky metal and wood ones I used when I was a kid. It simply scrapes the snow away, as long as it's light enough.

That said, I don't have too much of a path to clear, but it's quick work as long as the texture of the snow is all right.

[swilton]

58. Exactly

My snSw shovel shovels and scrapes the snow - a light-weight plastic orange gizmo. We haven't had that much snow since I bought it and it replaced one of those metal tools that was bent and beat up. Anyway, with this orange device, I can pick up the snow and/or scrape the sidewalk of residue. I'm definitely over 45, over-weight but I do work out regularly so for me, it's just another work-out.

[azmouse]

I'll take that advice to heart and never, ever shovel snow here in Phoenix.

:woohoo:

[Lasher]

13. Go on, rub it in.

I've twice been to Phoenix during February. Those were some of the most wonderful experiences of my life. So OK, let's compare notes when July rolls around.

[azmouse]

23. July? When I'm sitting by the pool with a bottle of tequila?

You're on!! :)

[Lasher]

36. Dry heat, right?

No thank you.

[LiberalFighter]

31. I thought they had little gnomes that removed the snow in the middle of the night in Phoenix.

[Lasher]

7. Gotta snow blade put on my 4 wheeler.

No problemo now. I enjoy helping my neighbors when the time comes.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

12. I talked the our condo association in to a big self-propelled snow blower last year.

I haven't had a chance to use it this year yet but last year I plowed the whole block and the alley. It was a blast. I didn't turn down the bottles of wine and champaign from the grateful neighbors either. :9

[Lasher]

17. So you know just where I'm comin' from.

Heroes we be.

:fistbump:

[Political_Junkie]

15. Good on you

for helping your neighbors. Last storm we had here in Maine I was out shoveling the driveway, mind you I'm a 45 year old woman who weighs only about 100 pounds, my neighbor across the street watched me the whole time while he was snowblowing his own driveway and never said a word!

[Lasher]

37. Wait a minute, do you live in Florida or Maine?

No matter, I wish everybody could live someplace where neighbors help one another. I'm a lucky guy.

[jaysunb]

8. Snow ? What's that ?

:evilgrin:

[Blue-Jay]

10. Great! In three more years, I can just let the shit build up!

When I get a nasty note from my postal carrier, I will refer him/her to this article.

[The Straight Story]

14. In Columbus, shoveling your walk can lead to lawsuits - not doing so though won't

Posted an article sometime ago about the law here. If you shovel the walk, and don't do it right, someone slips and you can be held liable. Not shoveling your walk COULD get you a $100 fine - but if you don't shovel it and someone falls you are not liable.

[pipi_k]

21. Wow, that's some screwed up shit there....

fuck 'em.

Let 'em walk in the road, then.

[LiberalFighter]

32. Can they prove that it wasn't done right? I doubt it.

What happens if someone walking through intentionally sloshes some of it back on the sidewalk?

Or if it is still snowing when you finish and is wetter and freezes?

Or if the wind blows some of it back and melts then freezes?

[Jamastiene]

11. DAMMIT!!! Why not 35 and older?

I'm still only 39.

Then again, it's only raining here. So, I'm still in luck...so far. :evilgrin:

[pipi_k]

16. Sometimes there's no other choice

especially when the nearest neighbor is like 1000 feet away down the hill, the entire road hasn't been plowed, and one has to get out to the goosepen to feed the geese, then into the fenced dog yard to pick up poo.

Although we do have a plow on the pickup for doing the driveway...

But in general, both Mr P and I are pretty careful about shoveling snow. A little bit at a time, rest, a bit more...no strenuous lifting and throwing, etc.

I like the dry stuff...you can just about blow it away :)

[LiberalFighter]

33. I don't exert myself either. If I have to I do half the driveway and the other later.

[RKP5637]

20. I see no problem unless you're mostly inactive and/or have undiagnosed

problems. I'm old and still do most of the things I did at 17 with no problem. It all depends on the person, shape in, etc. If someone sits around all the time and then runs out and shovels and shovels snow, probably a problem. In my book moderation works as with many things!

[farmout rightarm]

22. Good advice! I'm 68 and refuse to shovel snow

except what's on the tennis court...

[G_j]

54. +1

[hlthe2b]

24. Insane to suggest a direct correlation between age & physical fitness

as her only measure of risk.
Has Dr. Wainwright observed the levels of obesity and type II diabetes in our younger cohorts?

Mandatory Qualifier: Dr. Wainwright is simply reiterating long held trends in cardiovascular risk... I simply suggest that that dogma does not necessarily fit as well as it once did and it pisses me off that medical professionals regurgitate without qualifying... Many a 28 year old obese artery-clogged couch potato may be at risk as well and public health recommendation should extend cautions based on level of physical fitness and other health conditions--as well as age

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

25. I believe the air temperature is a significant factor

Shoveling snow is hard work and forced upon many fairly sedentary folks so it's not surprising there are always heart attacks.

But it's not just the exertion.

Under exertion we breathe hard through the mouth. Frigid air constricts capillaries in the lungs, oxygen uptake suffers, heart has to work twice as hard...

When I'm thinking of it I make sure to wear a scarf over nose and mouth when shoveling snow... keep the incoming air les shocking to the system.

[ConcernedCanuk]

26. Bullshit. - Shoveling snow doesn't kill you - it's HOW you shovel snow.

.
.
.

I'm 59, one arm temporarily disabled, and I shovel the equivalent of ten average driveways.

I've watched people shovel snow - they act like they are getting rid of a demon - they shovel TOO FAST, and decide that they MUST lift a whole shovel full of snow each time.

Sometimes I will shovel my drive and paths for 6 hours in a day - take my time, and if the snow is heavy(wet) I limit what I lift according to weight, NOT what the shovel can hold.

I take many "mini-breaks" - if I start t heat up, of feel my pulse increase alot, - I just lean on the shovel for a minute or two, check out the scenery, watch the birds, traffic etc., then continue.

I treat shoveling snow like an all-day job - pace myself at a rate I can sustain without undue fatigue or strain.

ANYTHING can kill you if you go at it too fast, and at a physical rate that you are not used to or prepared for.

SLOW DOWN;

and live.

[tabasco]

27. LOL! That's one stupid doctor right there.

I'm in good shape but I've known guys in the Army that were >60 and could kick my ass.

I wonder if this doctor is an out of shape slug.

[Jennicut]

28. I would shovel the driveway for an elderly neighbor when they used to live near us.

But 40's and 50's seems to young to stop shoveling. My Dad is 62 and still gets out there and is in great shape.

[dysfunctional press]

29. it depends on what kind of snow it is....and how much of it there is.

as well as how much you try to do and how fast you try to do it.

keep the pace.

[Stinky The Clown]

34. Dr. Susan Wainwright .... come, child, as this old geezer shovels your dumb ass off

http://www.usp.edu/academics/collegesDepts/pt/faculty/Wainwright.aspx

To shovel or not is a matter of the person more than the age.

I was in FAR more danger before my heart attack than I am now.

[Sparkly]

35. Yeah, in his shortz and crocs.

No, I'm not kidding. Tomorrow I'll take a picture. He is insane. :crazy:

[Blue_In_AK]

38. My husband and I are 63,

and we shovel snow many times every winter. I think this is a bit alarmist.

[Blue-Jay]

40. Combined?

[Blue_In_AK]

46. No, we're each 63.

Actually, he's 62, but I didn't want anyone knowing that I robbed the cradle. :)

[Blue-Jay]

47. heh.

[GreatCaesarsGhost]

39. The key is to dress warmly in layers and stay dry.

[B Calm]

41. That's why I use my Kubota tractor!

[Poiuyt]

42. It's the driveway aprons that will kill you

The snowplow drivers here in Wisconsin seem to take particular delight in pushing giant mounds of ice into my driveway. I finally bought a snowblower at about age 45 - best money I ever spent.

[barb162]

51. Yep, that last two feet is almost impossible to move.

Around here they just don't care even if they see someone shovelling the apron.

[cherokeeprogressive]

44. This 48 year old snow shoveler thinks she's full of shit. n/t

[TrogL]

45. Ridiculous. I'm 54 and do mine every day

[yellowcanine]

48. It is just another kind of aerobic exercise if done correctly. Jogging will kill you also if you

are not in the shape for it and you over do it.

[timeforpeace]

49. I got my wife golf shoes for Christmas so she wouldn't slip so much when she shovels the snow.

[barb162]

53. I bet you buy a new mop for her for Valentine's Day?

:)

[we can do it]

50. How Stupid, I Shovel Every Time It Snows, Even During Our Blizzards

what happens when you turn 45? you automatically get out of shape?

[pipi_k]

56. Imagine that...

One day you're 44 and feeling fine.

Next morning you wake up and you're 45 and ready for a wheelchair, diapers, and caretaker.

"WTF happened overnight?" you wonder....

Don't ask...it's a mystery...

:+

[Forkboy]

55. I guess senior hockey is right out.

:)

[undeterred]

57. It hurts my back.

I've taken to using a smaller, plastic shovel which picks up less snow.

[RedCappedBandit]

59. Exercise is bad for you!

[Yurovsky]

60. Especially if you look like this....

looks like the guy in front might have even pissed himself...