Is Running Bad for Your Knees?
Lots of people say they don’t want to run because running is bad for your knees. I recently came across an article in Time magazine that summarizes some recent research suggesting that runners have the same prevalence of osteoarthritis in their knees as non-runners. Or in other words, genetic factors likely influence arthritis in your knees more than anything, but running might even be able to help counteract that.
And people who run regularly have a much better chance of being healthy overall.
This isn’t to say that running is the only type of exercise worth doing. But it does say that this is no longer a valid reason to not run (for most people). Surely running can cause injuries, typically affecting some people more than others, but so can sitting on the couch too much of our lives (and probably much more serious injuries at that).
I recently read a book about the science of running called Lore of Running, which says (in basic terms) that if you have knee problems when you run, it usually can be fixed with something simple like a new pair of running shoes or a pair of custom orthotics, rather than surgery or other drastic measures. The book has lots more detail. But I just wonder how many times people give up on running because they think it’s bad for their knees when something simple could have made it better.
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December 28th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
Interesting. I often hear that running is bad for your knees so you should bike or swim or do something less strenuous like that. What you say makes sense, at the same time, it also makes sense that if you move a joint over and over and over again that eventually that’s going to cause some damage to it, but maybe so long as you don’t make that motion too many times over a specific period of time, then it doesn’t matter. I do feel like my shoulders, particularly my right one, have some minor problems going on inside of them due to playing sports like tennis, basketball, and baseball my whole life, but maybe it has nothing to do with it. I’m not familiar with the science, so these are just personal, common-sense observations that may or may not be true.
In the end, it seems that everyone’s body is made up a little differently and reacts differently to various activity, whether the effects are due to genetics or what we put our bodies through, so we just have to figure out what form of exercise is best for us individually.
January 3rd, 2010 at 2:27 pm
Steve, check out the book “Born to Run” by Christopher McDougall. Apparently the problem could be your shoes
http://www.parade.com/health/2010/01/03-barefoot-running.html
January 7th, 2010 at 2:50 pm
Ok, I know you are a student and big time presenter of important research, but come on, a week without commenting back to your devoted readers? Here is one more article you might like:
http://birthdayshoes.com/index.php/you-don-t-say-running-shoes-running-shoes-may-cause-damage-to-knees-hips-and-ankles
January 7th, 2010 at 3:13 pm
Hi Robbie,
Sorry to not get back to you sooner. I’ve read a little about that book and may buy it just so I can hear what he has to say. I know several runners who are into barefoot running. One guy runs around in Crocs. What makes me hesitant about it is that I run on the hard asphalt a lot, and I just can’t imagine that having no cushion would be a good thing. Maybe if you’re running on grass and dirt all the time. My opinion is that when shoes cause knees and hip problems, it’s often because the runner has a pair of shoes that is not designed for their running style and that many times they can solve the problem by getting a more appropriate shoe or through orthotics. That’s what the science suggests, from what I have read. But who knows? Maybe barefoot running will win in the end. I should try it on the treadmill or grass and see how it goes.