There are two camps when it comes to running and how it affects your knees.
One believes that it will ruin your knees due to the impact and the other believes that it might strengthen your knees.
So, which should we believe though?
There are lots of myths and misconceptions about running that includes developing arthritis and ruining your knees’ cartilage due to impact. However, running can actually ruin your knees but only if you don’t do it correctly or wear shoes that are inappropriate.
So, what’s the deal with so many runners who blame their bad knees on running? Well, let’s find out more..
Running Worsen By Arthritis?
To start, arthritis is a genetic predisposition, according to fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine, Dr. Lewis Maharam.
If you already have arthritis and you don’t have cartilage in your knee, running will of course make it worse because your bones will strike each other when you run.
Running and jogging to the point where it alters your gait, posture and the way your foot strikes the ground, its time to stop and see a doctor.
Running could help future arthritic patients be more active because running creates motion that helps bring more fluid to the knees which keep them moving.
In research that studied almost 75,000 runners, it was found that running didn’t increase the risk of osteoarthritis and the runners were found to be in less danger of arthritis compared to those who are sedentary.
Do Aging Makes Your Knees Bad?
Contrary to popular belief where your knees will break down as you age, a study conducted by researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder and Humboldt State University (United States) found that senior citizens who run a few times a week consume the same amount of energy as a normal 20-year-old person walking.
This study also found that seniors who run for exercise can walk better than those who walk for exercise. Thus, constant running for exercise may slow down the ageing process, improve mobility and quality of life.
Nonetheless, it is still important to consult your doctor about your running habits or starting a running habit especially if you’ve suffered a sports injury before or have conditions such as osteoarthritis.
Run The ‘Right’ Way
As with many types of activities, running with the wrong form or even equipment could cause injury, if not right away, over time. According to WebMD, running doesn’t hurt your knees if you do it the right way.
In another study, it was established that while the impact from running is high, a runner’s feet strikes the ground less and for a shorter period compared to walking. Hence, running and walking puts the same amount of stress on the knees.
The Real Risk Of Running
We tried to dispel myths that may mislead the public into eschewing running but there are a few factors that needs to be taken into account.
People who are overweight or have one leg shorter than the other may have a harder time with running.
However, for people who are overweight, losing weight and alleviating the amount of weight put on the knees could help with their running form.
An important factor is also shoes. People with flat feet and high arches can benefit from wearing properly fitted shoes to help them stabilise their feet while running.
When in doubt, go to a shop for running shoes and ask for assistance from their staff who will be able to advise you on what kind of shoes to go for.
Essentially, don’t just give up if you think running isn’t your sport because your knees feel a little creaky.
There are many elements that could cause your knees to hurt and always consult a doctor to make sure that you didn’t suffer an injury which could hinder you from running.
Leave a Reply