A recent study of just under 250 adults aged between 45 and 55 has discovered a link between high impact exercise and osteoarthritis. High impact exercise refers to activities such as running, walking long distances, hours of gardening and playing sports, all of which put a lot of strain on the knee joints. These joints are already starting to degenerate in this age group due to the natural ageing process; the lubricant fluid within the knee begins to dry up and as joints become more creaky, small bone spurs can form which then cause the ends of the bones to rub together, giving the painful inflammation and stiffness associated with arthritis.
Putting more strain on these joints in middle age can speed the process up and wears down the cartilage protecting the joints as well as causing small tears in the supporting ligaments. The researchers carrying out the study suggested activities such as swimming, cycling or using low impact Home Fitness Equipment such as cross trainers may provide all the benefits associated with regular exercise without causing further strain on joints made vulnerable with age.
Dr Stehling of the University of California says that the studies were carried out on both men and women in the 45 to 55 age group, none of whom had reported any previous problems with their knees. The participants were divided into 3 groups; one group carrying out low levels of exercise, one medium and one high.
The report found that those who carried out the moderate exercise on a regular basis kept their weight down and their muscles toned and reported no problems with their knees. The low exercise group were sedentary with the associated health risks, and the high exercise group reported problems with their knees. In conclusion, the study agreed that for most individuals the benefits of exercising far outweighed the risks and the best idea was to choose the type of exercise carefully.
