![Pedal Away the Pain: How Cycling Can Defy Arthritis and Boost Knee Health](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwp.health-si.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2024%2F06%2Fpedal-away-pain-cycling-arthritis-knee-health-2.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
Pedal Away the Pain: How Cycling Can Defy Arthritis and Boost Knee Health
![Avatar of Ozbek Thawka](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwp.health-si.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2024%2F05%2FOzbek-Thawka.jpg&w=96&q=75)
New Research unveils a simple and effective exercise that has been found to reduce arthritis and knee pain. The exercise offers numerous health benefits, is accessible to everyone, and most importantly – is very enjoyable.
New and exciting research reveals that cycling may be the key to reducing the risk of knee arthritis and knee pain. The study found that people who engaged in cycling throughout their lives suffered less from arthritis symptoms and knee pain compared to those who never cycled.
Study Demographics and Methodology
The study included 2,607 participants, of whom 44.2% were men. Their average age was 64.3 years, and the average body mass index (BMI) was 28.5. The researchers examined the cycling history of the participants across four different life periods: ages 12-18, 19-34, 35-49, and over 50.
Significant Findings
The findings showed that the risk of frequent knee pain was 17% lower among cyclists, the risk of radiographic osteoarthritis (ROA) was 9% lower, and the risk of symptomatic radiographic osteoarthritis (SOA) was 21% lower compared to those who did not cycle. Furthermore, it was found that the more life periods individuals cycled, the lower their risk of arthritis and knee pain.
Expert Recommendations
The researchers recommend encouraging cycling as a means to maintain knee health. “Our findings suggest that cycling can be a very beneficial activity for preventing arthritis and knee pain,” says Dr. Grace Lu, one of the principal researchers in the study.
Integrating Cycling into Daily Life
Cycling is an enjoyable and healthy physical activity that can be easily integrated into daily routines. The findings of the new study indicate that this activity can contribute to knee health and reduce the risk of arthritis and pain. Therefore, if you are looking for a way to maintain the health of your knees over time, consider adding cycling to your exercise routine.