Vigorous Physical Activity May Improve Knee Joint Structures
- Vigorous physical activity benefits knee cartilage in patients without knee injury, and walking reduces the risk for bone marrow lesions in the knee, according to the results of a study reported in the September 28 Online First issue and will appear in the October 15 print issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism.
- Among 190 participants who reported regular walking, baseline regular walking was associated with protection against tibiofemoral bone marrow lesions.
- Regular walking was not associated with tibial cartilage volume loss or cartilage defects.
- Baseline physical activity associated with work or activity in the home was not associated with protection against cartilage defects or volume.
- The authors concluded that a level of vigorous physical activity of at least 20 minutes per episode per week resulting in sweating or shortness of breath in adults with no history of knee injury or arthritis has a protective effect on knee cartilage.
- They concluded that exercise that is good for the heart is not detrimental to the knee joint.
