Does running harm your knees?

Running as a sport boomed during the pandemic. When people wanted to distance themselves from others and take some time for themselves, they turned to running, a relatively private activity that allowed them to get into their cardio, be alone with their thoughts, and get away from it To keep dangers away. But does it harm your knees?

Running is one of the workouts most commonly associated with knee damage. Surprisingly, there isn’t much data to support this claim. Longtime runners are quick to point out that if people run incorrectly, knee damage is likely to result, which is a very common occurrence.

Here’s what we know about knee damage and running:

Running can relieve arthritis and strengthen your knees

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According to a study comparing runners to non-runners, the former are less likely to develop arthritis in their knees. Although not fully understood, this protection runners experience could be due to the theory that runners have stronger knee cartilages. This extra tissue protects runners’ knees and makes them less likely to suffer from arthritis, something non-runners don’t.

Bad running can lead to knee pain and damage

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Nonetheless, incorrect running can lead to knee pain and injury, and result in runners suffering from lesions more often than non-runners. If running is the foundation of all of your workouts, and you do it every day, then chances are that you will develop some kind of knee injury or pain. To prevent this from happening, you need to use the correct running shoes and replace them when they wear out.

Building other muscles in your body can also help you maintain a more balanced running and prevent further injuries. Strength training across different areas of the body and increasing the intensity of your runs over time are important elements in preventing injury and achieving your running goals.