This Sport Is Great For Combating Knee Pain, According To Science

Knee pain can become more common as we age. However, experts say that regular exercise can improve knee health.

Cycling is good for your health!

According to new research published in the journal Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercisecycling is said to be extremely good for knee health. The study involved 2,607 people, with an average age of 64. The study participants self-reported how often they cycled throughout their lives. The researchers then checked for knee osteoarthritis in these participants by taking X-rays of their knees.

It was found that people who cycled, whether outdoors or on an indoor stationary bike, suffered less frequent knee pain and were less likely to have knee osteoarthritis.Osteoarthritis is a disease that affects different joints, the knee being the most common, and it can also affect your hips, ankles, hands”said Daniel White, associate professor in the department of physical therapy and director of the Active Lab at the University of Delaware, who was not affiliated with the study.

Why is cycling good for your knees?

If cycling is good for the joints and therefore for reducing knee pain, it is because it is a so-called low-impact sport.Cycling is a very low impact exercise. The force placed on your knee while cycling is a fraction of what happens when you walk or even run“, explains Daniel White. However, even if the impact is small, “you still get the benefits of muscle strengthening, cardiovascular training, and other health benefits that come with exercise”adds the specialist.

Slideshow: Top 10 sports that are good for your knees