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Health Myth: Is Running Bad on Your Knees?

Daily, people come across myths that they did not know, but do you accept any myth without questioning? Some people blindly believe while others dismiss myths, how do you perceive these myths? When it comes to health, you need to get more information on the claim.

The health myth that running is dangerous for your knees has led to the invention of protective devices. The introduction of knee sleeves for running makes you feel safer during your run.

Is Running Bad On Your Knees?

When you hear that running is dangerous for your knees, what is the first thing that runs through your mind? Your first reaction is probably dismay because running is a smooth exercise. Besides, if you cannot commit to gym workouts, then running may be your fitness activity of choice.

In case you have come across this myth and stopped running, relax. According to multiple studies, like the one posted on Medicine Science in Sports & Exercise, running is healthy for your knees. This article is not intended to dispute that, knee injuries are common, but running is not the cause.

Do you want to know the actual effect of running on your knees? When you run, you reduce inflammation in your joints. This means that you reduce your risk of getting osteoarthritis.

How Do Your Knees Get Hurt?

If running is not bad for your knees and you do not fall during your run, then what hurts your knees? We’ll help you break it down.

  • Body Weight Pressure

When you are running, you jump up and down which shifts your body weight from knee to knee each time. Imagine your weight supported by just one joint? The pressure is what hurts the knees. This is usually evident in people with delicate knees.

  • Obesity

The constant pressure breaks down the knee cartilage in an obese person. If you are of healthy weight, running makes your knees robust.

  • Running Without Stretching

Are you the kind of runner who prefers warm weather? Many people hurt their knees in spring because they have not been running all winter and did not take the time to stretch before running. Stretching prepares your body for the pressure and stress on joints by taking away tension.

  • Your Choice Of Shoes

It may seem trivial, but shoes can cause joint damage. Running requires the right shoes that offer comfort and padding to shield your joints from the impact on the ground. It’s recommended that you shelf last year’s shoes and get a new running pair.

Are knee sleeves important?

Injuries are infuriating and sometimes incredibly frustrating. Whether you are experiencing a severe or mild injury, you should be cautious.

Knee sleeves for running offer compression and support for your knees. You must be lost on precisely how they work, but the important thing is that they help lessen soreness, stiffness, and pain after a run. To directly answer your question, yes, knee sleeves are suitable for you.

How to take care of your knees

Always stretch before a run to get the blood flowing. If you think that short runs do not warrant a prior stretch session, you will end up hurting your knees.

  1. Wear the right running shoes. A physician can help you pick the right running shoe for your foot. Yes, it is that serious.
  2. Maintain a healthy diet. The right nutrients in your system will help maintain your joint’s health. Calcium-rich foods like vegetables and dairy products should be your best friends. Be careful when it comes to choosing supplements.
  3. Modest running is recommended. Sometimes you’re excited and run more vigorously, and at other times you run more unenergetically. If you are this kind of runner, find a balance. Every time you have skipped your routine, start out slowly and build up to the top. Frantic running will hurt your knee joints.
Author Bio:

Bowen is a fitness and health blogger at Runningaddicted.com. His obsessions are food and running, and he strives for a balance between the two. He blogs to share his stories, his training, what he has learned to help his readers be a better runner.