Couch potatoes

Sir, – Dr Tom O'Rourke notes that he regularly meets retired sports people complaining of various aches and pains attributable to their active lives, such as the sore backs, knee pain and dodgy hips of the ageing athlete (Letters, March 3rd). He notes how doesn't hear such complaints from long-term "couch potatoes".

Might that be because they simply aren’t around anymore? While osteoarthritis won’t kill you, heart disease, a consequence of inactivity, is insidious but often fatal. – Yours, etc,

BRIAN O’BRIEN,

Kinsale,

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Co Cork.