Island Fitness (206)842-5720 | Bringing Strength, Flexibility & Balance to Bainbridge Island

FITNESS TIPS : Cardio: It's Got Joint Benefits
You do it to burn calories and keep your heart young. But it turns out that cardio is a knee pleaser, too.

Topic: Healthy Habits
return to fitness tips listings

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Vigorous activities like running, swimming, and brisk walking -- anything that boosts your heart rate and makes it slightly difficult to talk -- could increase the amount of bone-cushioning cartilage you have in your knees. There's just one caveat.

Knee Savers
Vigorous exercise = good for the knees. Vigorous exercise that causes a joint injury = really bad for your knees. So, although cardio workouts may help build joint cartilage, play it safe. Don't overdo it and risk joint injury. That will only set your knee health back. Waaaaay back. Knee injuries can more than double your risk of arthritis down the road.

Joint Effects
Here are a few more ways to keep your knees in tip-top shape:
Maintain a healthy weight.
Strengthen the muscles that support your joints. And stretch.
Take your vitamins. Nutrients like vitamins C, E, and D may help slow arthritis progression.

SOURCES: Effect of physical activity on articular knee joint structures in community-based adults. Racunica, T. L., Teichtahl, A. J., Wang, Y., Wluka, A. E., English, D. R., Giles, G. G., O'Sullivan, R., Cicuttini, F. M., Arthritis and Rheumatism 2007 Oct 15;57(7):1261-1268.

return to fitness tips listings