Long distance runners are often warned that they are wearing out their joints, but a new study found that running mileage, frequency and pace were not associated with an increased risk of osteoarthritis.
Runners who had undergone knee or hip surgery or had a previous knee or hip injury that prevented running were most likely to have arthritis researchers found. Family history of arthritis , higher body mass index and older age were associated with an increased risk of the condition.
The study was presented on March 9 at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 2023 Annual meeting.
In the new study researchers surveyed 3804 runners who participated in the 2019 and 2021 Chicago Marathon about their running history , average mileage per week and average running pace. The survey also asked about known risk factors for Osteoarthritis including BMI, family history of osteoarthritis and past knee and hip injuries that prevented running.
Runners on average were 44 years old and ran 27.9 miles per week. Respondents who had undergone knee or hip surgery had the highest risk of osteoarthritis followed by those that had a knee or hip injury that prevented running.
