A recent study has found that running distance, frequency, and speed are not associated with an increased risk of osteoarthritis. The research, conducted by the University of California, San Francisco and led by orthopedic surgeon Matthew Hartwell, surveyed 3,804 runners who participated in the 2019 or 2021 Chicago Marathon. While it has generally been thought that running could increase the risk of osteoarthritis, the study found that number of marathons completed, weekly mileage, years spent running, and running pace were not associated with the condition.
The survey also asked about known risk factors for osteoarthritis, including weight, family history of arthritis, and past injuries of the knee or hip that prevented running. Respondents who had undergone knee or hip surgery or had a previous hip or knee injury that prevented running were most likely to have arthritis. Family history of arthritis, higher body mass index (BMI), and older age were also tied with increased risk of the condition.
The news should be encouraging for runners, said Hartwell. He emphasized that more research is necessary to understand if running contributes to the risk of developing osteoarthritis. Still, the study helps show the need for long-term research on how running affects joints overtime and general health. Brett Toresdahl, MD, a sports medicine doctor at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City, noted that it may take time for the medical community to move beyond “if it hurts, don’t do it” and reflexively advising against high-impact exercise when someone starts to develop osteoarthritis.