Former NBA player and bestselling author Kareem Abdul Jabbar spoke at the12th Annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven Conference in Chicago on June 12, providing insight into the life of the middle age athlete and the importance of being in good physical and mental health.
"For the middle age athlete, sports and physical activity may be more important than for younger athletes," said Mr. Jabbar. An hour of basketball or a round of golf for the middle age person is a medicine that "mends mind, body and spirit."
"The two most important words to the professional athlete are pain management," he said. As people get older, remaining active is associated with pain. "For me, as well as for other middle age athletes, we have chronic pain."
Although Mr. Jabbar has chronic pain today, he remained virtually injury free throughout his 20-year basketball career. He said he remained healthy by only taking a two week break from basketball in the off season during his NBA career. He did this to ensure the season did not wear him out. Athletes "have to prepare like that, or they'll have injuries earlier and earlier in their careers," he said.
Mr. Jabbar also emphasized the importance of cardiovascular, strength and flexibility training. "I started doing yoga in the late 70s, and it helped me have the length of career I did," he said. I still practice yoga today, "although I look terrible now when I do it," he added.
Playing sports is not just about physical health it is about mental health and personal outlook as well. "People have to suppress their egos when they play team sports and work with other people," said Mr. Jabbar. "In a team sport, being egotistical doesn't work, and people with that type of attitude don't get very far."
Mr. Jabbar also highlighted the importance of youth being involved in team sports. "We often lose sight of the value of sports," he said. It's valuable because it teaches kids about conflict resolution, and the health benefits are enormous.
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