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Correre fa male alle ginocchia?

If you're taking up running, you may be wondering if it's is bad for your knees. In fact, this cardiovascular exercise can help to keep your knees and other joints healthy.

La chiave è non mettere più stress sulle ginocchia di quanto il tuo corpo possa sopportare.

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Correre fa male alle ginocchia?

It is not corsa that's bad for your knees, but running when your knees can't take the stress that the activity places on them. If you have no existing knee or other joint issues, fitness specialists like Laura Williams advise running as a way to keep your knees healthy.

"Nowadays, it's thought that running helps to keep your joints healthy, as it increases strength in both your bones and muscles," she says. "Running involves several joints - including your hip, knee, and ankle joints."

The knee is one of the largest joints in your body, and is the area where your thighbone (femur) joins your kneecap (patella), shinbone (tibia) and the smaller bone that runs alongside it (fibula). Esercizi di rafforzamento muscolare are great for your joints because they build the muscles that surround them. This provides more support for your connecting bones, which in turn reduces stress and weight on your joints.

If running isn't bad for your knees, why then do dolore e infortuni al ginocchio sometimes occur? Running is high-impact because it involves jolting movements as your feet leave and hit the ground. This can be jarring on your joints and particularly your knees, the impact putting a high level of stress on them.

Provare dolore al ginocchio durante o dopo una corsa potrebbe essere dovuto a una pressione eccessiva tra la rotula e l'osso della coscia. Questo dolore può andare e venire e di solito si avverte nella parte anteriore del ginocchio, anche se il sito esatto del dolore è spesso difficile da individuare.

Throughout your life, your joints will go through inevitable wear and tear. Regular physical activity is integral to maintaining a full range of motion in your joints, but it's important to balance high-impact exercise with low-impact activity and rest.

Williams summarises the essential considerations for runners, explaining: "Ultimately, how running impacts your joints will depend on how you run, how often you run, and how far you run, as well as any injury history."

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Usare le articolazioni eccessivamente è una parte naturale dell'invecchiamento, and may lead to joint issues such as dolore, stiffness, interventi di sostituzione articolare, and osteoartrite later in life. Contrary to popular belief, high-impact activities such as running do not increase the likelihood of joint complaints on their own.

For instance, many studi have found no correlation between running and osteoartrite - the wearing down of joint cartilage. When ricerche has shown an association between high-volume or high-intensity running with osteoarthritis, it hasn't been possible to determine whether other factors such as previous injury have played a role.

On the other hand, a 2020 studio not only found running to have no effect on joint cartilage volume or thickness, but also suggested that it promoted cartilage nutrition.

To reduce your chance of knee injury, there are steps you can follow to keep your knees supported while running.

Scarpe da corsa

The first step is to trova una scarpa da corsa con supporto.

"Ensure you run in shoes that offer some cushioning and stability, and are suitable for the surface you'll be running on too," says Williams.

Factors include finding the perfect shoe width, cushion level, and arch support for your feet. Research shows that your shoes can significantly reduce your chance of running-related injury. If possible, it helps to have your shoes fitted properly in-store.

Stretching

Stretching before and after you run can help prevent knee injury. If you run with tight muscles, you're more likely to run with poor form and your muscles won't support your joints as effectively. Stretching after a run while your muscles are still warm will help maintain muscle flexibility - removing stress from your joints.

Forma di corsa

Una buona tecnica di corsa può ridurre significativamente l'impatto sulle ginocchia. Ciò include mantenere una buona postura, guardare avanti, mantenere i gomiti a 90°, e colpire il terreno con la pianta del piede anziché con il tallone.

Riposo adeguato e aumenti graduali

"Consenti al tuo corpo di recuperare completamente dopo ogni corsa," avverte Williams. "Prendi giorni di riposo sufficienti e evita aumenti improvvisi del chilometraggio."

Se inizi un nuovo programma di corsa quest'anno, non aumentare troppo rapidamente l'intensità dell'allenamento. È fondamentale aumentare gradualmente la distanza di corsa e iniziare con molti giorni di riposo. Il tuo corpo, comprese le ginocchia, ha bisogno di tempo per adattarsi all'esercizio ad alto impatto regolare.

Questo consiglio non è solo per i principianti. Molti runner esperti seguono la regola del 10%, aumentando il chilometraggio settimanale di un massimo del 10% ogni settimana.

Superfici più morbide

While running is high-impact, studies show that the impact exerted through your knees can be reduced by running on softer surfaces - including grass, woodchip, or a treadmill - as opposed to hard surfaces such as cement.

Aggiungere varietà alla tua routine di fitness

Williams also recommends mixing up your fitness routine with altri esercizi a basso impatto.

"In order to keep your running as joint-friendly as possible, you should aim to combine it with other sports that are lower in impact," she says. "Cycling, swimming, and rowing will all help to maintain fitness, minus the load."

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Experts have identified the main risk factor for knee issues - or indeed any other running-related injuries - as previous injury in the previous 12 months. Running is bad for your knees if you attempt to run before existing knee pain, stiffness, and injury have fully healed.

If you experience knee pain or stiffness during or after running, listen to your body and rest until your joints have recovered. If after a few days of rest your knee is still causing you discomfort, you can consult your doctor who may refer you to a physiotherapist.

Domande frequenti

Can running contribute to joint pain if I already have a pre-existing knee condition?

If you have an existing knee issue or other joint problem, running can place stress on your knees that they may not be able to handle. It's important to only run when your knees can take the stress of the activity.

What kind of exercises can I do to strengthen the muscles around my knees?

Muscle-strengthening exercises are beneficial for your joints. They build up the muscles surrounding your knees, providing more support for your bones and reducing stress and weight on the joints.

If I feel a sharp pain in my knee while running, should I stop immediately?

If you experience knee pain or stiffness during or after running, you should listen to your body and rest. It's important to give your joints time to recover before running again.

How long should I rest my knee if it's sore after a run?

You should rest your knee until the pain or stiffness has gone. If your knee is still bothering you after a few days of rest, it's advisable to speak to your doctor.

What is the '10% rule' for increasing running mileage?

The '10% rule' is a guideline many experienced runners follow. It suggests increasing your weekly running mileage by a maximum of 10% per week. This gradual increase helps your body, including your knees, adapt to the demands of regular high-impact exercise.

Are there specific types of running shoes that are better for knee support?

When choosing running shoes, look for ones that offer good cushioning and stability, and are appropriate for the surface you'll be running on. Factors like shoe width, cushion level, and arch support are also important. Getting your shoes properly fitted in-store can be very helpful.

What does 'good running form' mean and how does it help my knees?

Good running form means maintaining proper posture, looking straight ahead, keeping your elbows bent at 90-degree angles, and striking the ground with your mid-foot instead of your heel. This technique can significantly reduce the impact and stress on your knees.

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About the authorView full bio

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Amberley Davis

Senior writer

BA (Hons), CPD

Amberley is a senior writer with Patient and has written extensively on a range of health and wellbeing topics.

About the reviewerView full bio

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Dr Colin Tidy, MRCGP

Medico di base, Autore medico

MBBS, MRCGP, MRCP (Paediatrics), DCH

Dr Colin Tidy is an NHS Doctor, based in Oxfordshire.

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