Running Does Not Cause Arthritis

CarsonRuns

Here is an interesting article about more studies that dispels the myth that running is bad for you knees, when it's actually beneficial.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/runners-are-not-giving-themselves-arthritis/2013/08/12/2cca7a96-fdde-11e2-9711-3708310f6f4d_story.html

I found this to be the most interesting segment:

The notion that running causes osteoarthritis arises from a misperception about how joints work, says Alex Hutchinson, a science journalist who is author of the Sweat Science blog at Runner’s World and the book “Which Comes First, Cardio or Weights? Fitness Myths, Training Truths, and Other Surprising Discoveries from the Science of Exercise.” “People think the joint is just a static, inert hinge that wears down, but it’s actually a dynamic, living thing that can respond to stress and adapt and get stronger,” he says. Rather than wear down cartilage and other joint tissue, running appears to strengthen them, Hutchinson says.

BrianSharpe

Where's the "like" button?

When I started running the first words that one of my sisters uttered were "You're going to wreck your knees!" Drives me insane when people keep repeating this mistaken message.

ATT949

Here is an interesting article about more studies that dispels the myth that running is bad for you knees, when it's actually beneficial.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/runners-are-not-giving-themselves-arthritis/2013/08/12/2cca7a96-fdde-11e2-9711-3708310f6f4d_story.html

I found this to be the most interesting segment:

The notion that running causes osteoarthritis arises from a misperception about how joints work, says Alex Hutchinson, a science journalist who is author of the Sweat Science blog at Runner’s World and the book “Which Comes First, Cardio or Weights? Fitness Myths, Training Truths, and Other Surprising Discoveries from the Science of Exercise.” “People think the joint is just a static, inert hinge that wears down, but it’s actually a dynamic, living thing that can respond to stress and adapt and get stronger,” he says. Rather than wear down cartilage and other joint tissue, running appears to strengthen them, Hutchinson says.

"bad for your knees" - people actually think that? ;-)

I had knee pain for over thirty years until I started running again in 2011. Four months after I started running, it was gone and I've been pain free since then (1500 miles later).

Taking up running has been a blessing almost as much as losing weight.

jimmmer

It's much like those fools who say "squats eff up your knees."

Only if you do it wrong!

IreneAdler221

Where's the "like" button?

When I started running the first words that one of my sisters uttered were "You're going to wreck your knees!" Drives me insane when people keep repeating this mistaken message.

If I had a nickle for every time I heard this...

PixieGoddess

Only if you do it wrong!

I think this is the problem. My personal opinion is that the public opinion of "running is bad for knees" is based off the observation of runners with injuries (which tends to be primarily the knees and ankles) which are caused WHEN YOU DO IT WRONG! And I read that article the other day: it does note that injuries increase your risk of osteoarthritis due to scar tissue and the forced inactivity. (It goes on to note that most sports have a much worse injury rate than running) Like I said, just my opinion, but I think that's where that line of thinking comes from.

Tum22

My knees are ruined due to running or Karate which I did for a year or so five years ago. I find it hard to sit with my legs bent. A bit scared of doing any exercise now. All my joints get clicky . Not sure if arthritis. Don't really know what that is.