Despite the commonly held misconception, running may not increase the risk of developing hip or knee osteoarthritis, according to an article published by NBC News. Researchers asked 3,804 runners questions about their running history—including their running pace, intensity, and distance—and family history of arthritis in a new survey. They found that the number of years running, participation in marathons, distance per run, and pace were all factors that did not influence the risk of osteoarthritis. Additionally, 25% of the runners who took the survey said that their physicians discouraged them from continuing to pursue their running habits, and only 7.3% of them had been diagnosed with hip or knee osteoarthritis. The researchers stressed that many physicians may believe that osteoarthritis is caused by consistent wear and tear; however, they found that running tends to benefit the joints by strengthening the muscles that surround them and increasing the production of synovial fluid. “It’s concerning, the number of runners who are being advised by their physicians to reduce or eliminate their running. The evidence we have so far suggests that running … is a safe activity. We need to step away from this wear-and-tear philosophy,” emphasized Jeffrey Driban, PhD, ATC, CSCS, Associate Professor of Medicine at the Tufts University School of Medicine. The researchers revealed that despite the positive results of their survey, runners who frequently injure their knees during running may be at a higher risk of developing arthritis. Individuals should practice dynamic warm-ups and stretching prior to exercise, purchase shoes that allow for comfortable running, and listen to their bodies to reduce their risk. The researchers hope to conduct further studies to track runners over longer periods of time and survey those who quit running to analyze the risk of developing osteoarthritis in those populations.
May 25, 2023