Jogging While Overweight May Accelerate Arthritis

What’s causing the rise in osteoarthritis? A new study out of Australia suggests that it may be linked to the popularity of running or jogging, combined with the prevalence of runners being overweight.

The analysis is based on research from the Medibank Better Health Index which tracked 1,000 individuals over a multi-year study.

“Exercise with poor biomechanics and repetitive knee injuries, as well as escalating national obesity levels are likely to be a contributor to the increased prevalence of joint issues in younger Australians,” says Medibank Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Linda Swan.

Medibank offers three tips, shared here:

1. Maintain a healthy diet and exercise regime: While some repetitive and high-impact exercises can trigger the onset of osteoarthritis, exercise also acts as a preventative through its weight-loss effects and strengthening of important muscle groups. Just remember, it’s crucial to ensure you are using the correct techniques to limit excessive strain on your joints. Similarly, maintaining a healthy diet is key for ensuring you avoid placing added strain on the joints through excess weight.

2. Wear appropriate and supportive footwear: Wearing high-heels, especially in combination with excess weight, may contribute to increased osteoarthritis risk. It’s been shown that wearing high heels can alter the way women walk, and the height of the heel changes the angle of women’s knees as their feet hit the ground, which increases strain on the joint.

3. Protect your knees: Knee injury is extremely common and trauma in the area can increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis. To protect your knees, it’s important you lose any excess weight you might be carrying, and avoid injury by exercising sensibly. Keeping muscles strong — particularly the quadriceps — can also help by reducing strain on the knee.

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