15 July 2024 | Written by R.G.
In a recent study published in the Journal of American College of Sports Medicine, researchers set out to explore the relationship between bicycling and the most common form of arthritis – knee osteoarthritis (OA). This condition can cause significant pain and mobility issues, impacting the quality of life for millions.
The study aimed to determine whether a history of bicycling could influence both the symptoms and structural outcomes of knee OA.
The study was part of the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI) and involved a retrospective, cross-sectional analysis of participants who provided detailed data on their bicycling habits, knee pain, and radiographic evidence of knee OA. Using a self-administered questionnaire, researchers identified bicycling participation during four different life stages: ages 12–18, 19–34, 35–49, and over 50 years old. They then assessed the impact of bicycling on knee health outcomes using logistic regression, adjusting for age and gender.
The study included 2,607 participants, with an average age of 64.3 years and a nearly even gender distribution.
The findings were compelling:
– Those with a history of cycling had a significantly lower risk of frequent knee pain, with an adjusted risk ratio of 0.83 compared to non-bicyclists.
– The risk of radiographic OA (ROA) was also lower among bicyclists, with an adjusted risk ratio of 0.91.
– Similarly, the risk of symptomatic radiographic OA (SOA) was reduced, with an adjusted risk ratio of 0.79.
Interestingly, the benefits of bicycling appeared to be cumulative. Participants who bicycled during multiple time periods throughout their lives experienced greater knee health benefits.
This study provides robust evidence that bicycling can significantly reduce the prevalence of frequent knee pain, ROA, and SOA. The results suggest that bicycling should be encouraged from an early age as a low-impact exercise to promote knee health and potentially prevent the onset or progression of knee osteoarthritis.
For those looking to maintain healthy knees and reduce the risk of osteoarthritis in later years, hopping on a bicycle might be one of the best decisions you can make.
Whether you’re a daily cyclist or considering taking it up later in life, the benefits for your knee health are clear and substantial.
Reference:
Lo, GH, Richard, MJ, Kriska, AM, McAlindon, TE, Harkey, M, Rockette-Wagner, B, Eaton, CB, Hochberg, MC, Kwoh, CK, Nevitt, MC, Bhakta, PB, McLaughlin, CP & Driban, JB 2024, ‘Bicycling over a Lifetime Is Associated with Less Symptomatic Knee Osteoarthritis: Data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative’, Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, viewed 15 July 2024, <https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38600648/>. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2024 Apr 11. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000003449. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38600648.
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