Running and Osteoarthritis Risk

Occupational Activities vs. Running

Strong evidence exists that occupational activities such as kneeling, squatting, and bending increase the risk of developing knee OA, as stated by the American College of Rheumatology, with heavy physical demands in occupational settings showing strong evidence for increased knee OA risk 1, 2, 3
The American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine recommends that heavy physical demands in occupational settings be minimized to reduce the risk of knee OA, with strong evidence for increased knee OA risk associated with occupational lifting, cumulative physical loads, and full-body vibration 1, 2
Moderate evidence exists for no increased risk of knee OA related to sitting, standing, and walking activities, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, with climbing stairs or ladders showing strong evidence for no increased risk of knee OA in women 1, 2, 3
Driving as an occupational activity shows moderate evidence for no increased risk of knee OA in both men and women, as reported by the American Automobile Association 1

Tibial bone stress injuries (BSIs) are common among distance runners due to repetitive loading, with annual incidence as high as 21.1% in track and field athletes, according to the American College of Sports Medicine, and BSIs have one of the highest recurrence rates of all running-related injuries, with prior BSI increasing recurrence rate sixfold in females and sevenfold in males 4, 5
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons states that these acute injuries differ from the degenerative process of osteoarthritis and represent a separate concern for runners, with Low energy availability (LEA) or Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs) contributing to impaired bone health and risk of bone stress injuries in runners 4