It seems people who do no athletic activity have their joints deteriorate from not having strong bones and connective tissue. Then you have the other extreme of over use by people like bodybuilders. How many pros have had shoulder operations? It’s a huge amount. I personally think grinding away decade after decade with heavy weights is bad for for the joints. I started lifting at 13 and now in my sixties I’m still at it. A doctor pointed out that both my forearm bones are slightly curved. He said decades of lifting bent the bones. Hard to find a lifter my age that doesn’t have some issue like shoulders, knees, hips or something else.
Yup, lifting heavy weights for a lifetime of training is not good for the skeleton, and connective soft tissue. Light pumpers might be able to get away injury free.
But those who like to lift heavy, be prepared for issues/surgeries as you age. Every older Powerlifter I'm around has had numerous surgeries, joint replacements, etc.
In our time 'rehab/prehab' wasnt a thing unfortunately. Today, many do it, and it makes sense. Im starting to pay attention to it more these days and it does help, just need to be busness-like w/ it.
