Running marathons gives you knee arthritis doesn’t it?
Well, a new study from The University College London suggests it might actually be good for your knee joint health!
Study
- 82 sedentary adults taking part in their first marathon
- Took part in a standardised training plan
- MRI scan 6 weeks pre and 2 weeks post marathon
Findings
- Some areas of the knee showed improvement in bone and joint health (tibia and femur)
- Some areas of the knee showed worsening in joint health (patellofemoral joint, prepatellar bursa, ITB)
- The menisci were unaffected
- Nobody developed knee pain (measured with the KOOS)
Limitations
- Doesn’t tell us anything about the long-term effects of marathon training
- It is unknown if these changes in the tissues would actually manifest as changes in knee function
Clinicians
- Marathon training could have a protective effect on tibia and femur against osteoarthritis
- May be tougher on the patellofemoral joint and the ITB
- Study supports conservative management of meniscal tears in runners
Runners
- Running marathons might be good for your knee joint health in terms of arthritis
- It may be more problematic for things like the kneecap and ITB
Full Paper
Can marathon running improve knee damage of middle-aged adults? A prospective cohort study