Running Does Not Ruin Knees or Break Down Body
by Allie Comeau on November 12, 2009 
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If you’re a runner (or take part in other high-impact exercises), chances are you’ve had someone tell you you’re going to “ruin your knees” or break down your joints faster because of your fitness habits.
Somewhere along the line running became associated with a breaking down of the body – but according to sports medicine specialists, the opposite is true.
Dr. Ron Noy, a New York City sports medicine specialist and spokesman for the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, says that running not only helps the joints (including the knee joints) stay lubricated and healthy, but it also keeps bones and the heart strong. “If you have a healthy knee, running is not going to damage the knee,” he says in this article on MSNBC. “It’s not going to wear down your knee, and there are benefits to the joint from running.”
That’s not to say you can’t overdo it by training too much and too often and sustain an injury. That happens all the time. If you have arthritis or an old injury, running or other high-impact exercise can definitely aggravate it and cause pain because your joints are already compromised. And if you’re overweight and unconditioned and start a rigorous exercise program before you’re ready, you can damage your knees and other joints.
But if you have healthy knees and train properly, gradually increasing distance and speed and resting at least two rest days a week, you are doing nothing but good things for your body, bones and joints. Bottom line – if you exercise in moderation you will not wear eventually “wear out” your body. You’ll keep it healthy for years to come.
From the article on MSNBC: There’s no reason to think that healthy people doing recommended amounts of physical activity and progressing at a sensible rate are going to eventually wear out their bodies. On the contrary, there is abundant evidence that exercise can go a long way to keep us healthy and strong as we age — and prevent early death.
So get out there and run, hike, ride, walk or take a group fitness class several times a week – your body will thank you.
