Does Running “Ruin”

Your Knees?

All runners have heard the comments. “You are going to ruin your knees if you keep running.” Most runners simply blow those comments off and chalk them up to coming from those too lazy to run. But can running really ruin knees? Does running for good health actually create unhealthy conditions?

Running is hard on the knees for sure. New runners almost always have to overcome knee problems as they train at higher and higher levels. But is it actually damaging to knees? Or is it just a matter of strengthening the knees as runners push their bodies.

In fact, there have been some studies done on this subject. A group of runners were followed over several decades. During the same time period a control group of non-runners were also followed. Both groups were of similar economic levels, career types, sexes, and ages.

The study concluded that there was really no correlation between running and long term knee health. Running did not cause knee problems nor did they prevent them. It seems that for knee problems later in life, such as arthritis, runners and non-runners have an equal chance of suffering. Note the "runners knee" is not a joint problem.

Of course this study only looked at knee health problems. The benefits running offers in the way of bone density, heart health, better circulation, and the many other countless benefits of being physically fit far out-weigh the alternative of a sedentary life.

So go lace up those running shoes and head out for a long healthy run!