CNN.com recently shared an article about new research on Osteoarthritis of the knee. It caught my attention because, as a personal trainer for older adults, one of the key complaints I hear about is knee pain. I also work with clients who have had knee replacements or other knee surgeries. This is not surprising since nearly 800,000 knee replacements are performed each year in the USA.
Osteoarthritis is a chronic disease that causes the cartilage of a joint to deteriorate; this leads to pain and stiffness and is especially seen in the hips, hands, lower back and knees. As we age, osteoarthritis can have a negative effect on our quality of life; depending on where it is found it can even influence our ability to remain independent.
The new research was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association and based on data from studies conducted in the Netherlands. The key finding is that the effects of the disease can be lessened or even eliminated by strengthening leg muscles. The research indicates that there is no link between a person’s total physical activity and the odds of their developing the disease. The subjects were then divided into two groups: those whose activity was non-weight bearing (like swimming and bicycling) and those who activity was weight bearing (like walking or running). The latter group was at greater risk for knee osteoarthritis–but only if they lacked sufficient lower limb strength. It has long been thought that one of the best ways to protect the knees is to build mass in the muscle groups around the knee. This research bears this out; the more muscle mass around the knee, the more it is “cushioned” from the forces that affect it through weight bearing movement.
This research reinforces the work of doctors and physical therapists who work with patients to strengthen the muscles around arthritic joints. While those who participate in non-weight bearing exercise have less cause for concern, it is important to know that runners and walkers have a strategy that can help ease pain, increase movement, and even prevent the need for joint replacement.
Kosher Fitness 