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Knee Arthritis and Strength Training

Knee Arthritis and Strength Training - One of the most common complaints of athletes, avid exercisers and couch potatoes is pain in the knees. Pain is usually a sign of either over use or under use. The link between knee arthritis and weight training is something that has recently been discussed and now holds promising results.

Where’s the pain coming from?

Osteoarthritis is a common condition of aging athletes. No matter how much or how little exercise they have done, many exercisers find that their joints and bones have become worn down by the activity. This can lead to aches and pains, most noticeably in the morning when the joints aren’t as lubricated.

As the day goes on, it seems that the pain lessens, though it is still present. The reason why knee arthritis and strength training has been studied so extensively is because the knees have to do so much work during exercise and ‘real’ life, so they tend to have more problems creep up.

What’s strength training go to do with it?

While an athlete might try to ease the pain and the swelling with anti-inflammatory medication, the link between knee arthritis and strength training shows that strength training actually reduces the need for such pills. When patients started their own weight training regimens at home for a certain period of time, they reported almost half of the pain as gone from their knees.

What happens with knee arthritis and strength training is that the muscles surrounding the knees are built up by the exercises, leading the knee to become stronger and less likely to hurt in everyday life. The joints are better supported and the muscles become stronger.

I recommend following a professionally designed fitness program. Your goal should be safety and proper form above all else.

How much is enough?

Not only does knee arthritis and strength training seem to be a scientifically proven link, but there are ways that you can increase the benefits as well. Weights that are used for this strength training need to be heavy enough to cause positive stress in the joints and surrounding muscles. That is, lifting light weights isn’t the answer. In order to break down the tissues in order to be rebuilt stronger, the muscles needs to work hard and consistently.

Weight training at least three days a week (with days of rest in between) is the general recommendation.

With the newfound link between knee arthritis and strength training, more people will be able to get back to their exercise routines and out of their pain.



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