Growing older has plenty of upsides – but achy joints is not one of them. By Gordon Waddington of The Conversation As we age, the joints that once handled every bend and fall start to weaken. This is because the amount of cartilage, a tough but flexible kind of connective tissue, and fluid in your joints decreases over time. This may lead some people to avoid activities such as exercise. But with the right approach, exercise can actually help protect your joints. Let’s dive into the science.