The idea that long-distance running is bad for your knees may be wrong. New research has found that pro-inflammatory mediators actually decrease in the knee joint after running. In this study, researchers measured inflammation markers in the knee joint fluid of several healthy men and women aged 18-35, both before and after running, and found that specific markers of inflammation decreased in concentration after 30 minutes of running among the participants. Lead author Dr. Robert Hyldahl adds, “What we now know is that for young, healthy individuals, exercise creates an anti-inflammatory environment that may be beneficial in terms of long-term joint health.” The findings suggest that distance runners are no more likely to get osteoarthritis of the knee than any other person.
European Journal of Applied Physiology, December 2016