| Did you know that your workouts may cause | | | | from developing osteoarthritis knees. |
| arthritic knee pain? Many workout warriors with | | | | So what do you need to know to prevent knee |
| asymptomatic knees would never even think about | | | | cartilage damage? |
| this until it is, unfortunately, too late. | | | | 1. Incorporate a cross training type of fitness |
| Recently, I saw a picture of a 70 year old former | | | | program to prevent arthritic knee pain. |
| exercise guru in a wheelchair recovering form both | | | | Don't just run 7 days a week, year in and year out. |
| knee, and hip replacement surgeries. This individual in | | | | Mix your workout up by incorporating low impact |
| the 1980's frequently promoted a fitness program | | | | cardiovascular sessions. |
| that featured high impact aerobics. After I saw that | | | | 2. Get adequate rest between workout. |
| pictures the first thing that crossed my minds was a | | | | The higher the intensity of exercise, the more rest is |
| connection between high impact aerobics, and | | | | required between workouts. Don't be afraid to take |
| arthritic knee pain. | | | | days off. Focus on quality training, not quantity. |
| If you have never thought about knee arthritis, then | | | | Shorten your workouts. Attempt to avoid overuse |
| I recommend starting to think about it today. Why? | | | | injuries. |
| Because a recent study correlated an increased risk | | | | 3. When you hit the 40 years of age, don't focus on |
| of knee osteoarthritis with high impact exercise. | | | | training like a high level competitive athlete. |
| The study looked at 136 women, and 100 men, ages | | | | Be smart! Even though I love training like an athlete, I |
| 45 - 55. They were divided into three groups - low | | | | know plyometrics are not the best things for my |
| activity, medium, and high. All subjects had healthy | | | | knees at 42 years of age. Once again, strategically |
| knees, and were of average weight when the study | | | | plan your workouts. |
| began. | | | | Please understand, I am not saying you can't |
| The results showed that 93% of people in the high | | | | workout from time to time in a high impact manner. |
| activity group suffered from cartilage damage versus | | | | However, cross training, and sufficient rest is |
| 60% in the low activity group. Of course, the high | | | | mandatory as you age. |
| impact exercises, day after day, can often lead to | | | | High impact exercises at 40 years old, plus, have |
| arthritic knee pain. A high impact fitness program | | | | shown to significantly increase your chances of |
| would be considered running, and jumping. A low | | | | arthritic knee pain. In order to avoid knee |
| impact workout would be swimming, elliptical training, | | | | osteoarthritis make sure you follow the |
| or riding the bike. | | | | recommendations presented above. A well planned |
| The study also found that lower impact exercises | | | | out, intelligent fitness program will equal healthier |
| may protect diseased cartilage, and prevent them | | | | knees. |