New research overturns decades of medical dogma: Running DOES NOT cause arthritis

By avagrace // 2025-10-01

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A major study of nearly 4,000 marathon runners found no statistical link between running and an increased risk of developing hip or knee arthritis, challenging the long-held belief that repetitive impact wears down joint cartilage.
The analysis revealed that arthritis in runners is associated with the same factors as in the general population: advancing age, higher BMI, a family history of arthritis, and a previous history of significant joint injuries or surgeries.
While running is not a direct cause, a prior joint injury is a major risk factor for arthritis. Therefore, the focus for runners should be on preventing acute injuries through proper training and recovery.
The study found that a significant number of runners, including those already diagnosed with arthritis, had been advised by physicians to run less or stop entirely—advice this new research suggests may be unnecessary for most recreational athletes.
The findings encourage running as a beneficial activity for cardiovascular health and weight management, freeing most people from the fear that it will lead to joint degeneration.

In a landmark study that challenges conventional medical wisdom, researchers have delivered compelling news to the millions who run for fitness and peace of mind: hitting the pavement does not increase your risk of developing arthritis. The findings, presented at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons' annual meeting, directly confront the long-held belief that the repetitive impact of running wears down joint cartilage, suggesting that for most recreational runners, the activity is not a direct path to joint replacement but may instead be a key component of long-term joint health. The study, hailed as the largest survey of marathon runners ever conducted, aimed to settle a persistent debate within healthcare and fitness communities. For years, many individuals with joint pain or a family history of arthritis have been advised to avoid running, opting for lower-impact exercises like swimming or cycling. This new research, however, indicates that such advice may be misguided for a vast majority of recreational athletes. The implications are significant for public health, encouraging an active lifestyle that can combat obesity and related diseases without the fear of damaging the body's foundational structures. (Related: SAFE JOGGING: Great tips for running safely to prevent short-and-long-term injuries.)

Confronting the cartilage dogma

The research was driven by a desire to test what its lead author, Dr. Matthew Hartwell, describes as a "continued dogma" in medicine. The pervasive idea is that cartilage, the smooth tissue cushioning the ends of bones in a joint, has a finite lifespan and that running accelerates its wear and tear, similar to how car tires eventually bald. This study set out to determine if that analogy holds true for the human body under the stresses of long-distance running. The results suggest the body is far more adaptive and resilient than a simple mechanical part. Dr. Hartwell, an orthopaedic surgery sports medicine fellow, noted that this dogma has real-world consequences. The survey of nearly 4,000 participants in the Chicago Marathon revealed that one in four runners had been told by a physician to run less. Even more strikingly, nearly half of all runners who had already been diagnosed with arthritis were advised to stop running entirely. These recommendations often come from a place of caution but may inadvertently steer patients away from a beneficial activity. The scope of this prospective cohort study is what makes its conclusions so powerful. Researchers from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine surveyed 3,804 runners registered for the 2019 and 2021 Chicago Marathons. The average participant was 43.9 years old, had been running for nearly 15 years, and had completed an average of five marathons. This provided a deep pool of data on individuals who had subjected their joints to significant, sustained impact over many years. The electronic survey was meticulously designed to parse out the factors truly linked to joint degeneration. It collected detailed information on demographics, running history including weekly mileage and pace and crucially, hip and knee health. Researchers asked about pain, previous injuries, surgeries, family history of arthritis and formal diagnoses. This allowed them to separate the effects of running from other well-established risk factors. When the data was analyzed, the results were clear. The prevalence of hip or knee arthritis among these dedicated long-distance runners was 7.3 percent. More importantly, the analysis found no statistical link between arthritis and any metric of running volume or intensity. The number of years a person had been running, the number of marathons completed, their weekly mileage and their training pace showed no correlation with an increased risk of arthritis. Instead, the factors that predicted arthritis in runners were the same factors that predict it in the general population. Advancing age, a higher body mass index (BMI), a family history of arthritis and a previous history of significant joint injuries or surgeries were the true risk factors. This indicates that running itself is not the problem; it is the individual’s underlying biology and history that primarily dictate joint health.

Injury prevention is the true key to longevity

While the study absolves running as a direct cause of arthritis, it does not negate the importance of smart training. The research underscores that joint injuries are a major risk factor for future arthritis. Therefore, the focus for runners should shift from fearing cartilage wear to actively preventing acute injuries. This aligns with established principles of sports medicine that prioritize proper biomechanics and recovery. Mitigating joint pain and preventing injuries often comes down to fundamental practices. Knowing your body’s limits, allowing for proper recovery, investing in supportive footwear and maintaining good running form are critical. Experts like physical therapists recommend slowly increasing speed or distance to avoid overuse injuries and incorporating cross-training to build supporting muscle groups. For those experiencing normal exercise-related inflammation, maintaining a healthy inflammatory response through diet and supplementation can also be beneficial. "Arthritis, specifically osteoarthritis, is primarily caused by the wear and tear of cartilage that cushions the ends of bones in your joints over time," said Brighteon.AI's Enoch. "Joint injury or repetitive stress can also lead to the development of arthritis. Additionally, genetic factors can make some individuals more susceptible to the condition." The final takeaway is empowering. Running remains a profoundly effective method for improving cardiovascular health, managing weight and enhancing mental well-being. The fear of arthritis, for most people, should not be a barrier to entry. This research effectively cuts the chain linking running to joint decay, encouraging a new generation to lace up their sneakers with confidence, armed with the knowledge that they are likely strengthening their bodies for the long run, not breaking them down. Watch this video to learn more about healing arthritis the natural way. This video is from the BrightLearn channel on Brighteon.com.

NATURAL NEWS

Confronting the cartilage dogma

Injury prevention is the true key to longevity

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