Have you been told that running is dangerous for your joints?

MYTH

Running is harmful and damaging to your joints, especially if you have arthritis or are overweight.

TRUTH

• Hip and knee arthritis is not more prevalent in runners

• Research shows that marathon runners have lower rates of arthritis than the general population [1]

• In those with knee arthritis, running is associated with decreased pain and no worsening structural changes are seen on x-ray [2]

• In fact, one study even found that some knee arthritis changes seen on imaging had improved after training for, and running a marathon [3]

• Like the general population, if progressed properly, overweight individuals can safely adapt to running [4,5]

If you would like to start or improve your running, we can prescribe a program that would be the right fit for you.

Let us help you reach your running goals!

[1] Ponzio, D. Y., Syed, U. A. M., Purcell, K., Cooper, A. M., Maltenfort, M., Shaner, J., & Chen, A. F. (2018). Low Prevalence of Hip and Knee Arthritis in Active Marathon Runners. The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, 100(2), 131–137. doi: 10.2106/jbjs.16.01071

[2] Lo, G.H., Musa, S.M., Driban, J.B., Kriska, A.M., McAlindon, T.E., Souza, R.B., Petersen, N.J., Storti, K.L., Eaton, C.B., Hochberg, M.C., Jackson, R.D., Kwoh, C.K., Nevitt, M.C., & Suarez-Almazor, M.E. (2018). Running does not increase symptoms or structural progression in people with knee osteoarthritis: data from the osteoarthritis initiative. Clinical Rheumatology, 37, 2497–2504. doi: 10.1007/s10067-018-4121-3

[3] Horga, L. M., Henckel, J., Fotiadou, A., Hirschmann, A., Torlasco, C., Laura, A. D., … Hart, A. (2019). Can marathon running improve knee damage of middle-aged adults? A prospective cohort study. BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine, 5(1). doi: 10.1136/bmjsem-2019-000586

[4] Zdziarski, L. A., Chen, C., Horodyski, M., Vincent, K. R., & Vincent, H. K. (2016). Kinematic, Cardiopulmonary, and Metabolic Responses of Overweight Runners While Running at Self-Selected and Standardized Speeds. PM&R, 8(2), 152–160. doi: 10.1016/j.pmrj.2015.06.441

[5] Taboga, P., Lazzer, S., Fessehatsion, R., Agosti, F., Sartorio, A., & Prampero, P. E. D. (2012). Energetics and mechanics of running men: the influence of body mass. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 112(12), 4027–4033. doi: 10.1007/s00421-012-2389-6

Myth or Truth?