Rethinking Joint Health: New Study Suggests Running May Not Harm Arthritic Joints
POLICY WIRE — Essex, UK — A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Essex has turned conventional wisdom on its head by suggesting that individuals with osteoarthritis may not need...
POLICY WIRE — Essex, UK — A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Essex has turned conventional wisdom on its head by suggesting that individuals with osteoarthritis may not need to avoid high-impact exercises such as running or tennis. The study, which analyzed data from 17,661 patients with knee or hip osteoarthritis, found that engaging in higher-impact physical activities was linked to a 36 to 48 percent reduction in the likelihood of requiring a total hip replacement within a year.
The research also revealed that participating in such activities did not increase the chances of needing a total knee replacement within the same timeframe. These findings dispute the common belief that high-impact activities are detrimental to those with osteoarthritis.
Lead researcher Dr. Bernard Liew emphasized that the study does not advocate for everyone with osteoarthritis to take up running. Instead, it promotes a more personalized approach to exercise, encouraging individuals to adapt their physical activities based on their symptoms, capabilities, and objectives. Dr. Liew noted that those already involved in high-impact sports might not have to cease these activities post-diagnosis.
He further explained that while there may be instances where a temporary rest or modification of training is necessary to cope with painful flare-ups, it is not advisable to abandon these activities entirely. The study challenges the widespread recommendation for individuals with hip or knee osteoarthritis to switch exclusively to low-impact exercises like walking or swimming.
The dataset utilized in the study, obtained from Denmark, included self-reported physical activity levels of participants, which were categorized into low-intensity, moderate-intensity, high-intensity, and high-impact activities. High-impact activities in the study encompassed jogging, tennis, skiing, acrobatics, ballet, heavy labor, and backpacking.
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the study indicates an association rather than a direct cause-and-effect relationship between high-impact exercise and reduced joint replacement odds. The research has been published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
