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Is running/jogging bad 4 joints?

Kade Posts: 12 Joined: 2005/04/14	2005/05/06, 04:15 PM I have heard alot lately that running is bad for your knees, and other joints. I love 2 run but am only 15 and don't want to wreck my knees. Any help here? -------------- Opinions are guesses based on facts, but they aren\'t facts...:) Kade
sbroyhill Posts: 442 Joined: 2005/04/06	2005/05/06, 04:28 PM It can be dependant on what kind of surface you are running on, and any current ailments you may be experiencing. Some treadmills now have impact boards built into them so they actually have a slight flex in them on impact making it much better for the joints... -------------- :Hard work equals great results!:
Kade Posts: 12 Joined: 2005/04/14	2005/05/06, 04:51 PM I run around our developement, on the sidewalk, but could run on the grass...also I run 2-4 days a week, about a 1 maybe 1.5 miles. Would it be better, if I ran on the tredmill? -------------- Opinions are guesses based on facts, but they aren\'t facts...:) Kade
sbroyhill Posts: 442 Joined: 2005/04/06	2005/05/06, 04:56 PM It all depends on you and your health and body. I use to run 10-15 miles a day several years ago (if only I still could do that!) on cement and asphalt, and have no problems on my joints. Then others can't even run on cement or asphalt at all due to joints. I say continue to do it on the sidewalk, but if you start to notice any discomfort or pain while you run, then look into other options. -------------- :Hard work equals great results!:
Kade Posts: 12 Joined: 2005/04/14	2005/05/06, 05:45 PM Thanks for your help! :big_smile: -------------- Opinions are guesses based on facts, but they aren\'t facts...:) Kade
	2005/05/07, 04:33 AM It depends on your genetics....total distance you run per week...your weight lifting routines..etc My friends used to run 30-40 miles a week while on a cross country trip..... You should be fine...just don't go overboard.... Also experiment on other forms of exercise to supplement your running....swim...very good cardio training and low impact on your body....try row machines, bike, etc... Weight lift....squats, stiff legged deadlifts...deadlifts...strethen your legs as a whole....
	2005/05/07, 04:35 AM err cross country team* also surface of the ground makes a big difference...
princesslodgey Posts: 1,748 Joined: 2004/02/21	2005/05/07, 05:20 AM Also make sure you get proper running shoes, assessed by a running shop, this can make a big difference.
Kade Posts: 12 Joined: 2005/04/14	2005/05/07, 08:40 AM Wow! Thanks Guys! :big_smile: Oh menace, I do a lot of other cardio so I should be fine there! (Biking, swimming, eliptical...)I have New Blance cross training shoes, (becuz of bad arches)they give me alot of protection, but would it be better to get running shoes? -------------- Opinions are guesses based on facts, but they aren\'t facts...:) Kade
	2005/05/07, 07:49 PM yes...that's excellent....you need to get a shoe also based on how your arch is...some overpronate while other underpronate....yet there are still those hwo have normal(neutral) pronation ...so you need to get a shoe based on this... http://orthopedics.about.com/cs/generalinfo6/g/overpronation.htm http://www.adamhodges.com/Runner/ShoeGuide.htm
dvelswk Posts: 192 Joined: 2005/05/07	2005/05/08, 04:35 PM I agree with Menace with the genetics part. A lot of people say to run on grass and that it's a lot better for your knees. I personally hate running because my knees always kill me afterwards. My sister however is a marathon runner, she runs on concrete 10-16 miles a day and never has knee problems amazingly enough. So what I'd say is, if its not bothering you, don't worry about it. If it is bothering you, try moving to grass or I think in some gyms they have an aliptical (don't know how to spell), it's like running in place on a machine but your feet don't go off the ground so it doesn't hurt your knees at all. I've never used it but I've heard some people talk about it and they said it helped.
spamalope Posts: 149 Joined: 2004/12/20	2005/05/09, 12:20 PM Running is probably the "best" or most efficient cardio for people, but yes - it is probably the hardest on your body as well. It's high impact. 2-3 times your body weight pounding down on your feet thousands of times / day. It takes a toll. 1. If you are running more or harder than your muscles can handle , that stress gets "transferred" to your ligaments, tendons, and joints. Proper muscle training is really important here. 2. Just like lifting - REST. This helps on #1. 3. Cement (read sidewalks) are probably the worse on your body to run on. They are the hardest. Get off the sidewalks. 4. New Balance makes some great running shoes. There are a # of things you can do to help PREVENT injuries too. For example - I usually do treadmill work and sit in the sauna after my workout, I wet my towel with cold water and drape it on my knees in the sauna. If you have access to a pool, I hear sitting and resting your legs in the cool water is awesome too. -------------- _Shane I dont have to outrun the bear - just you....
princesslodgey Posts: 1,748 Joined: 2004/02/21	2005/05/10, 03:01 AM Nonsense! running is the second "best" cardio, AFTER cycling!:big_smile:
	2005/05/10, 03:48 AM Dean Karnazes runs super marathons and never had any problems beyond blisters....he has run super marathons for 12 years...since he was 30...he's now 42....he runs multi person relay super marathons himself....he's not fast but he has the willpower....he has put his body through hell and back...yet no problems so far....
spamalope Posts: 149 Joined: 2004/12/20	2005/05/10, 10:31 AM There are always going to be exceptions. There are so many factors - does Dean over/under pronate? Does he have proper footwear, good leg muscles, strong tendons, and to your earlier point does he have the proper genetics, etc... Does he knee have traction issues like 1 in 10 people do? Bottom line is that Dean is a lucky b--tard! :) Running definitely takes it's toll. Gotta be smart about it. -------------- _Shane I dont have to outrun the bear - just you....
spamalope Posts: 149 Joined: 2004/12/20	2005/05/10, 11:18 AM Your wouldn't, by chance, fancy cycling would you? I biked a ton for a few years in HS. I loved it. ============ Quoting from princesslodgey: Nonsense! running is the second "best" cardio, AFTER cycling!:big_smile: ============= -------------- _Shane I dont have to outrun the bear - just you....
Kade Posts: 12 Joined: 2005/04/14	2005/05/10, 03:41 PM Once again you guys are always handy when I need help! :big_smile: But I have another question! I am going out for a soccer team in August, is there an way to get physically prepared to run on and off for an hour at top speed? (I gotta keep up with the ball!:laugh:) Oh BTW "dvelswk" I use the Eliptical all the time, It's great and burns more calories hen anything else in our gym, not to mention that it is very low impact on your joints! -------------- Opinions are guesses based on facts, but they aren\'t facts...:) Kade
soc4nav_17 Posts: 1 Joined: 2005/05/10	2005/05/10, 04:09 PM Sup im new to the group, what the life style here?
princesslodgey Posts: 1,748 Joined: 2004/02/21	2005/05/11, 03:42 AM Kade, look into interval training (search in fitbuddy for "HIIT") this will be better preparation for soccer than doing steady pace sessions. Shane - whatever gave you the idea I liked cycling? I'm merely stating scientific fact ;O) -------------- The path to righteousness is a cycle path
spamalope Posts: 149 Joined: 2004/12/20	2005/05/11, 11:40 AM I'm psychic. :) ============ Quoting from princesslodgey: Shane - whatever gave you the idea I liked cycling? I'm merely stating scientific fact ;O) ============= -------------- _Shane I dont have to outrun the bear - just you....
avi91265 Posts: 1 Joined: 2005/09/22	2005/09/22, 04:47 PM have just started running 2 months back,now my knees hurt. what do i do?
michelle9510 Posts: 172 Joined: 2005/07/14	2005/09/22, 06:52 PM I've found that the surface really makes a dufference for me. At my old gym, they had old treadmills and my left knee would hurt so bad that I would have to stop running. I started taking glucosamine/chondroitin suppliments and found that it helped but I still couldn't run on the old treadmills. At the new gym they have brand new life fitness treadmills with the shock absorbing boards and I can run with no problem on them.
sivysivy Posts: 391 Joined: 2005/02/11	2005/09/23, 11:21 PM AVI- If your knees hurt I would stop running until you see a doctor.
yooperjim Posts: 104 Joined: 2005/09/01	2005/09/24, 05:38 AM Knee pain is relative. Just because you have some knee pain doesn't always mean there is anything really wrong with you. Knees, and other joints are composed of all kinds of complicated tendons and ligaments, which as far as I can tell take longer to strengthen than muscles, meaning that even though you may have the muscular strength and endurance to run a mile, you tendons and ligaments may not be ready. Give em time to adapt, stretch before and after, try to stick to forgiving surfaces. Cycling is a great, low impact way to strengthen your knees to prepare them for running too. They will also need rest/recovery time. Complimentary excersizes that target the knees helps,ie; squats, lunges, etc. If you absolutely need your cardio, and can't give your knees a couple of days rest, then use a bike or swim. If your knee pain is chronic, and doesn't ease up after a couple of days rest, or is accompanied by heat and/or swelling, see a doctor.
yooperjim Posts: 104 Joined: 2005/09/01	2005/09/24, 05:48 AM an afterthought; Many women just aren't built for running. This is just an observation, but many women have wider hips, so the leg bones come out of the hips at an angle inward to their knees, then the angle changes and from the knee to the ankle angle the opposite way. Basically you have two triangles balanced point to point, a very unstable arrangment.
Bighoss147 Posts: 71 Joined: 2004/10/06	2005/09/24, 06:28 PM gave me shin splints... gonna start swimming for cardio while trying to recover, then gonna get some of those rubber inserts for my shoes and do more running on grass, dirt, and treadmills.
yooperjim Posts: 104 Joined: 2005/09/01	2005/09/25, 05:55 AM shin splints will go away too, it's just the bone density is changeing, and adapting to the load. Same thing, stretching, and rest/recovery time.
sivysivy Posts: 391 Joined: 2005/02/11	2005/09/25, 11:40 PM So that's why all the girls in the gym keep falling off the treadmill! \/ :laugh:
gangstershoes Posts: 641 Joined: 2005/05/27	2005/09/27, 03:19 PM if they have really wide hips they roll instead of fall off of the treadmill.
l0std0ll Posts: 1 Joined: 2006/02/20	2006/02/20, 12:31 PM ok I have a question.I heard that when you jog barefoot (like in grass or on the beach) you're supposed to lean slightly forward and jog on the slightly on the ball of your toe...I did this 2 days ago and my calfs are still sore... is that good for me?
Nyxtikal Posts: 268 Joined: 2005/09/20	2006/02/20, 01:58 PM well if your sore that means you got a good workout in:)
al205 Posts: 1 Joined: 2007/12/01	2007/12/01, 07:59 AM I used to run for my high school track team and I began experiencing shin splints. I iced every day after running for 20 minutes then another 20 minutes of icing later in the evening. I continued running through the pain until it was unbearable. I went to the doctor and found out I had a stress fracture. Shin splints are pain from your muscle pulling away from the bone. They can heal, but if aggrivated enough they can cause damage! Be careful! ============ Quoting from yooperjim: shin splints will go away too, it's just the bone density is changeing, and adapting to the load. Same thing, stretching, and rest/recovery time. =============
INTRUDER Posts: 642 Joined: 2002/06/27	2007/12/01, 09:54 PM your knees will build themselves up to the demands, but just be smart and dont overtrain, or push 2 hard. Take a week off every 3 months or so. ============ Quoting from kade: I have heard alot lately that running is bad for your knees, and other joints. I love 2 run but am only 15 and don't want to wreck my knees. Any help here? ============= -------------- "Get everthing you want--just make a little change now" "The thing you have to realize is that you have to work for it,"