Is your body breaking down in a hurry?

CPT(P) (Join to see),

I joined the Army at the age of 41 and Fort Campbell was my first duty station. The secret to physical longevity is to drink water, turn your aches into a cadence, and charlie mike!

You need to take up some time of yoga to increase the circulation to parts of your joints that are not receiving attention. Human body is not meant to be rigid or out of alignment. Youtube some yoga exercises for knee pain or lower back pain. I did. I injured myself ruck running and i had to fix it myself since the army chiro doesnt know what hes doing. Im 31 yearsold. I had to fix myself because im prepping for a "selection course". Also, remember..tendon/ligament strengthing is a must for preventing joint injuries.

Yes, it's age and the job both. I don't think there is any big secret. Just take better care of yourself and hope the body last.

At 26 your age has little to do with it, but without knowing details of your routine it's hard to say exactly what the problem is. There have been a lot of good suggestions here such as staying very hydrated, getting good quality sleep, and have a clean diet. I would add proper stretching and adding supplements like BCAA's for during and post workout. BCAA's are good for recovery. Also look closely at your routines as some of your aches may be over use injuries.

CPT(P) (Join to see) Chondroitin, Glucosamine, Water, Healthy Food, Sleep, and Ergonomics. These things will heal the body, restore your immunity, and align the spine.

CPT(P) (Join to see) I do kickboxing and Muay Thai and running. While I'm working out its okay and it helps, but first thing in the morning I'm moving like an old lady until the joints get warmed up. Stretching is key I have learned. Along with balance. Try yoga or swimming to help your joints. Water water water, I can't stress that enough. Also for muscle recovery and to prevent lactic acid build up which cause the cramping and pain. BCAAs and Beta Alanine especially the latter has helped me. I used to have horrible IT band spasms after an intense round of kicks the beta alanine really helped me. I have left shoulder tendonitis from too many left hooks and mcl tear right knee and osteoarthritis in my knees and back.

Yoga, lots of it. Foam rolling, lots of it. Stop doing dumb Army PT (ie, multiple, repetitive high impact, high intensity workouts like running and rucking in a week). Proper nutrition and diet. Healthy body weight and body composition. 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep per night. When/if your chain-of-command tells you all of this isn't possible in the Army, tell them you're simply trying to support the Army's Performance Triad.

http://armymedicine.mil/Pages/performance-triad.aspx

Good luck.

I'm 28 with 9 years of service and I feel stronger and faster than when I was 19. The key of longevity is to train your body smart and put quality foods in your body.

If you having hip and knee problems you might need to check your running form. That can be the cause of your pains.

Great question, that hasn't gained much traction...yet.

I have been working as a chiropractor for over 7 years, and I have creatively coined this phenomenon 'post athlete syndrome'.

One can try to push through it with more exercise, or one can give up....however, as most have found, going from an active lifestyle to a completely sedentary...this is likely to happen.

What you are describing is degenerative arthritis that has invaded your joints, we are strictly talking about osteoarthritis...and inflammatory condition in response to micro or macro trauma....in your case early onset trauma, and repeated Trauma over the years. Be careful, because if you try to make a claim with the VA, and they say, it's a pre-existing arthritis condition, sorry, that doesn't rate a VA disability rating, you appeal that thing all the way up the chain. It is a rate-able condition, and if you haven't started the paperwork....do it today.

You'll need some doctors visits to back up your claim...but drive on.

Glucosamine is great for us that suffer with arthritis. And how do you know you have it, you wake up stiff, sleep usually makes it worse, Exercise usually makes it better.

Take care of your body. Go to sick call if you are hurting more than muscle fatigue accounts for, it doesn't mean that you are weak. Joint supplements, yoga, just about any kind of workouts aside from PRT. Food is important, eat as cleanly as possible, minimize processed foods, cook from basic ingredients. The Palo diet is pretty good if you stick to it (it's really hard to ditch the carbs we are accustomed too)