Which group of individuals should avoid high-impact exercises to prevent injury?

High-impact exercises can pose significant risks for various groups of individuals due to factors such as joint integrity, hormonal changes, and developmental stages.

Adolescents may be engaged in growth spurts and physical changes that make their bodies more susceptible to injuries. High-impact activities might exacerbate these risks, especially if the individuals have not developed sufficient strength or coordination.

Elderly individuals often face a decline in bone density and joint health, making them more vulnerable to injuries from high-impact movements. As they age, their risk of falls and fractures increases, and avoiding high-impact exercises helps to mitigate these dangers.

Women in their second trimester of pregnancy are also advised to avoid high-impact exercises. During this period, the body undergoes numerous physical changes, including shifting centers of gravity and altered ligament flexibility due to hormonal influences. High-impact activities could increase the risk of injury to the mother or complications for the fetus.

In light of these considerations, it is crucial for all these groups to be cautious of high-impact exercises, and thus the answer encompasses all of them as being at risk for potential injury.