New research shows lifelong bikers have healthier knees, less pain and a longer lifespan, compared to people who’ve never biked. This adds to the evidence that cycling promotes healthy aging.
[2,600 men and women, with an average age of 64 years old] were surveyed about their physical activity over their lifetime. As part of the study, researchers took X-ray images to evaluate signs of arthritis in their knee joints.
The study can not prove cause and effect, given it was an observational study that assessed osteoarthritis at one point in time.
Credit where it’s due, the editor has written a headline which actually comports with the merits of the study, not overstating the benefits of cycling on elderly knee arthritis. And the author takes care to do the same. The article also discusses the risks specific to elderly cyclists, and identifies the aspects of cycling which are low-impact.
Overall, an informative read.
As someone who suffers from chronic, unspecified joint pains, I can say without a doubt that cycling not only helps to get rid of the pain (while on the bike), but the effects last days after my ride.
Jogging, on the other hand, increases my body pain like 300% for a week. LOL
My cardiologist made me do a treadmill stress test a year or two ago. My knees hurt for the next month. I told them next time I’ll do it on a bike or I won’t do it at all.
I couldn’t jog half a mile without my knees killing me; on the other hand, I biked more than 500 miles this month.
Yup. I have a treadmill that I really only use for walking. When I try running, it’s awful.
It’s a shame, really. I’d love to be able to run/jog, too.
