Take a load off

Anything that gets worse as you get older gets better when you exercise,” according to Ralph Paffenbarger, an epidemiologist, professor and exercise authority who took up marathon running at 45 and lived to a ripe old age.

Paffenbarger must have had good knees. Because if you suffer from the aches of arthritic joints in midlife, even going for a brisk walk can be off-puttingly painful, never mind running a marathon.

There is no cure for osteoarthritis; the best