Exercise and Arthritis

Contrary to popular belief exercise is likely to benefit the joints rather than harm them.

Have you ever come from a harder-than-usual workout, felt some soreness in your muscles and stiffness in your joints, and wondered if all this exercise is as good for you as it's supposed to be?

One fairly common worry among women exercisers is that working out will result in crippling arthritis in their older years. Not to worry.

Studies done at Stanford University indicate that runners over the age of 50 actually develop fewer musculoskeletal disabilities than nonrunners the same age. The runners studied in that age group also had better cardiovascular fitness weighed less, took fewer medications, had fewer sick days and visited their doctors less frequently.

Researchers found no convincing evidence that running accelerates the development of arthritis in normal, uninjured knees. A retrospective study in Finland followed competitive runners for 21 years and found less arthritis of the hip in runners (four percent) compared to nonrunners (eight percent).

Osteoarthritis

Arthritis is a general term that refers to inflammation of the joints. There are two main types: osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis is a degeneration of the cartilage that acts as a padding between the bones of such joints as the ankle, knee and hip, as well as those in the fingers. When athletes worry about whether their exercising will lead to arthritis, this is the type they have in mind.

As we age, the cartilage becomes thinner, loses its elasticity and may become frayed. If the cartilage is damaged enough it loses its cushioning and protective functions. It may be lost entirely and bone may rub on bone, causing spinelike outgrowths of bone called spurs.

We don't know why some people are more prone to developing osteoarthritis as they get older; but we do know that injury and trauma to cartilage increases the likelihood of developing arthritis in the joint, particularly if surgical repair is needed.

How is osteoarthritis diagnosed?

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Foreword: Billie Jean King

Comments by Barb Harris
Editor in Chief,
Shape Magazine

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