Introduction
Arthritis is a medical condition characterized by the swelling and tenderness of one or more joints. The condition worsens, making the elderly more vulnerable than the young. The significant causes of arthritis are faults in the immune system and metabolism. While some believe that running can cause the condition, this notion has been scientifically disproven. Although there is a risk of arthritis in specific populations of runners, these associations are attributed to other factors such as age, pre-existing joint conditions, and excessive training loads.
The Role of Running in Developing Arthritis
Running is a healthy activity that has a protective effect on the body’s joints, reducing the risk of developing arthritis. Research by Tang et al. (1) shows that running does not negatively affect leg joints. Instead, the activity strengthens the muscles, making the joints healthier. The findings by Tange et al. (1) are supported by Coburn et al. (2). The latter researchers investigated the effects of running on hip and knee cartilage using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Their results indicate that knee changes after running are insignificant, and a single bout of running is not detrimental to knee cartilage.
Additionally, a study by Alexander et al. (3) indicates no correlation between running and the progression of arthritis. The research shows that only 3.5% of recreational runners have arthritis compared to 10.2% of sedentary individuals (3). Moreover, Alexander et al. (3) suggest that there is insufficient evidence on the effect of running on individuals who have the condition. However, running does not exacerbate osteoarthritis progression among adults 50 years and above (3). Therefore, running does not cause arthritis or appear to accelerate its progression.
Conclusion
Arthritis is associated with various causes, but running helps improve the strength of the knee and hip cartilage. MRI has been used in past studies to determine the effects of running on the knees and hips. Running causes insignificant changes in the volume and thickness of cartilage in joints. More sedentary individuals have developed arthritis compared to those who engage in recreational running. Running does not pose a risk of developing arthritis, but it can help alleviate the symptoms of the condition.
Bibliography
- Tang H, Pan J, Munkasy B, Duffy K, Li L. Comparison of Lower Extremity Joint Moment and Power Estimated by Markerless and Marker-Based Systems during Treadmill Running. Bioengineering. 2022 Oct 19;9(10):574.
- Coburn SL, Crossley KM, Kemp JL, Warden SJ, West TJ, Bruder AM, et al. Is Running Good or Bad for Your Knees? A Systematic Review and meta-analysis of Cartilage Morphology and Composition Changes in the Tibiofemoral and Patellofemoral Joints. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage. 2022 Nov;31(2):144–57.
- Alexander JLN, Willy RW, Culvenor AG, Barton CJ. Infographic. Running Myth: Recreational Running Causes Knee Osteoarthritis. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2021 Nov 24;56(2): bjsports-2021-104342.