So who invented this whole 'low impact exercise' myth?

[z1ggy]

Paraphrasing from the SEAL fitness guide...

"Running is fine...Just don't do it on anything other than soft surfaces or you gon' fuck you knees/ankles/hips up"

 

[_Rick_]

And FFS stop running when you don't have the strength left to run smoothly.
Souplesse is key. As long as you still feel light as a feather, you might as well keep on running. As soon as the legs get heavy - you done goof'd; especially on any non-flexible surface.

Never understood road runners. Roads are for cycling. Trail-run if you must. Or pick up Randonné. Nothing like walking up a mountain at a quick pace, with a light backpack, and keeping the pace over 3-5 hours. Incline is the mother of all cardio-stressers.

 

[Capt Caveman]

And FFS stop running when you don't have the strength left to run smoothly.
Souplesse is key. As long as you still feel light as a feather, you might as well keep on running. As soon as the legs get heavy - you done goof'd; especially on any non-flexible surface.

Never understood road runners. Roads are for cycling. Trail-run if you must. Or pick up Randonné. Nothing like walking up a mountain at a quick pace, with a light backpack, and keeping the pace over 3-5 hours. Incline is the mother of all cardio-stressers.

Based on this, I never would have run a marathon b/c my training wouldn't have prepared me.

 

[NickelPlate]

Running is just hard on your joints, plain and simple. It doesn't take much imagination to see why. I've also been told that by more than one podiatrist and joint specialists. Doctors ought to know. It's an enjoyable activity no doubt and can be a great part of a fitness program. You can do things to minimize the impact such as using proper form/technique, running on surfaces that have some give instead of concrete (treadmills or dirt/sand trails), wearing really good and proper fitting running shoes.

Not everyone has joint problems from running, but a lot of them do after years and years of it including myself but I'm a big guy and my ideal weight (about 210 lbs) is considered a heavy clydesdale in the running world so I'm at a disadvantage.

When your young it doesn't really matter so much you can abuse your body and get away with it. But as you age more and more aches and pains start to creep in and you have be more careful and limit strenuous activities. Any abusive activities you engaged in as a young person can start to make themselves known with symptoms.

Doesn't mean you should stop something you enjoy, just be aware there are risks.

 

[momeNt]

CORRECTION.

Shoes are incredibly hard on your ankles and knees. You lose all the natural impact absorption that the arch of the foot provides and transfer it straight up your legs, tearing the cartilage of everything on the way.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Anecdotally, I know a lot of people with bad knees from hockey which stresses the knees a lot. Also, a lot of nfl lineman are screwed post retirement.

True though, where is the study?

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

http://www.npr.org/2011/03/28/134861448/put-those-shoes-on-running-wont-kill-your-knees

Runing nto bad for you. So long as not overweight, can actually be good for your knees. Go figure.

 

[_Rick_]

Based on this, I never would have run a marathon b/c my training wouldn't have prepared me.

Just train, until you can run 4 hours with a spring to your jog.
If after an hours you get into limp-mode, and run on your joints, instead of your muscles, you may well finish the marathon - and take out a a few months of useful knee functionality.
If that's worth it for you, be my guest. I play volleyball, which is also quite stressful for the knees, especially if the legs are tired, and you don't land your jumps flexibly. Used to give me some knee pain, when I was training 4 times a week. Now my regimen is slightly more relaxed, I'm biking slightly harder, so I probably got slightly more leg muscles, and I take care to land my jumps with as much flex as possible.

Of course, with a marathon on asphalt, there's not much of a choice really, once your legs are out of juice, you lose the bounciness, drop into bad form, and injure yourself.

 

[Bateluer]

Running is just hard on your joints, plain and simple.

This is false. Studies have repeatedly shown that runners joints are healthier and in better shape than nonrunners, even after decades of regular running.

CORRECTION.

Shoes are incredibly hard on your ankles and knees. You lose all the natural impact absorption that the arch of the foot provides and transfer it straight up your legs, tearing the cartilage of everything on the way.

This is pure bullsh*t. So many people read Born to Run and its psuedoscience and thinks every shoe is out to cause them permanent injury. Again, science also put the lid on this. Studies of barefoot runners have revealed that it causes damage down to the bone.

 

[NickelPlate]

This is false. Studies have repeatedly shown that runners joints are healthier and in better shape than nonrunners, even after decades of regular running.

Source? Believe what you want I guess. I could no doubt find dozens of "studies" all over the web arguing both sides of the coin. Personally, I'll choose to pay attention to the practicing Doctors who have told me otherwise face to face.

 

[Bateluer]

Source? Believe what you want I guess. I could no doubt find dozens of "studies" all over the web arguing both sides of the coin. Personally, I'll choose to pay attention to the practicing Doctors who have told me otherwise face to face.

If you've had doctors telling you that running is bad for your joints, you need to find a new doctor ASAP. They are simply wrong. About the only thing Born to Run did get right was that humans evolved to run.

http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1948208,00.html

http://www.myhealthnewsdaily.com/2427-5-experts-answer-running-bad-knees.html

http://www.runnersworld.com/health/benefits-running?page=single


The above links all cite multiple studies and essays from doctors. And, at the worse, running will make no difference in whether you develop arthritis or not. But, you will live longer, healthier, with fewer disabilities.

It should be noted though, that you do have run properly. This means actually developing a good training program, with appropriate progression as your fitness improves, getting fitted for the right shoes for you, etc. It does not mean being a pair of vibrams and half-jogging to the nus stop and back.

 

[NickelPlate]

If you've had doctors telling you that running is bad for your joints, you need to find a new doctor ASAP. They are simply wrong. About the only thing Born to Run did get right was that humans evolved to run.

http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1948208,00.html

http://www.myhealthnewsdaily.com/2427-5-experts-answer-running-bad-knees.html

http://www.runnersworld.com/health/benefits-running?page=single


The above links all cite multiple studies and essays from doctors. And, at the worse, running will make no difference in whether you develop arthritis or not. But, you will live longer, healthier, with fewer disabilities.

It should be noted though, that you do have run properly. This means actually developing a good training program, with appropriate progression as your fitness improves, getting fitted for the right shoes for you, etc. It does not mean being a pair of vibrams and half-jogging to the nus stop and back.

Well I guess we'll agree to disagree. But to say they're simply wrong is pretty presumptuous on your part. Not to be snide but unless you are a Doctor or medical professional who specializes in treating joint problems then that statement carries little weight. What makes these studies any more right than the practicing specialists (at least the ones I've seen) who deal with this stuff everyday and have decades of experience treating thousands of patients? Again, I'll choose to heed their cautions as a personal choice, and you are free to put your faith in the above studies as yours. No harm no foul. I'm sure there are some practicing physicians who have all sorts of opinions in both camps.

I will agree on the proper form. I think you have misinterpreted my original comment. I'm not espousing that people stop running, only relaying the cautions I've been given by professionals and anecdotal personal experience. Others have different experiences and I respect that. And as I already mentioned not everyone develops sports/running related issues. But it can and does happen commonly. Ultimately if one is concerned about it or has pre-existing joint issues there are many other great cardio exercises that are little to no risk by comparison.

 

[Bateluer]

Well I guess we'll agree to disagree. But to say they're simply wrong is pretty presumptuous on your part. Not to be snide but unless you are a Doctor or medical professional who specializes in treating joint problems then that statement carries little weight. What makes these studies any more right than the practicing specialists (at least the ones I've seen) who deal with this stuff everyday and have decades of experience treating thousands of patients? Again, I'll choose to heed their cautions as a personal choice, and you are free to put your faith in the above studies as yours. No harm no foul. I'm sure there are some practicing physicians who have all sorts of opinions in both camps.

Every runner fights the idiots who clamor 'runner destroys your knees, derr!'. Mosty of the time, its just an excuse for them not not to exercise at all. Runners need to see doctors that specialize in running themselves, or they will misinterpret symptoms and injuries. If you have bloodwork done after a marathon, for example, the results are going to say half your organs are failing.

I will agree on the proper form. I think you have misinterpreted my original comment. I'm not espousing that people stop running, only relaying the cautions I've been given by professionals and anecdotal personal experience. Others have different experiences and I respect that. And as I already mentioned not everyone develops sports/running related issues. But it can and does happen commonly. Ultimately if one is concerned about it or has pre-existing joint issues there are many other great cardio exercises that are little to no risk by comparison.

The form comment wasn't directed at you, not specifically. For example, the /r/running subreddit is extremely pro-barefoot running. Every thread inquiring about running shoes to purchase always has the first comment as 'Run barefoot!!!!1'. Its disheartening to see such stupidity. Its also annoying to see high school track athletes that think a 1Km race is 'long distance' and try give advice to some one asking for marathon training tips.

 

[hans007]

Run on a regular basis and also play basketball on a regular basis. Im the only 32 year old guy on the court. The rest of the guys are 27 at the oldest. Must be doing something right.

I'm 32. I play basketball still . Play occasional pickup and half court. And last 4-5 months IMs

Just started running on a track. And I gotta say running is way way less impact than basketball. Basketball might be the toughest sport knee and ankle wise you can play . I'm just glad I still can at this age without needing to soak my knees in tubs of ice

 

[CPA]

Anecdotally, I know a lot of people with bad knees from hockey which stresses the knees a lot. Also, a lot of nfl lineman are screwed post retirement.

True though, where is the study?

Because of my involvement in a large youth football league, I have met several fathers who used to play in the NFL or college. I am friends with one guy who was a lineman in the NFL. His knees are shot. He knows he will need knee replacements some day. He also believes it's a result of his past career.

 

[lotus503]

I guess the term "runners knee" is just bullshit?

Of course load bearing exercise have the ability to hurt joints, its common sense.
There are ways to mitigate this and some people are more susceptible to joint pain.

The most common complaint from cyclist is knee pain as well. 5400 rotations per hour and the knee operates in a single plane.

Its about fit and form for both as both can destroy knees

 

[Archemys]

Running, especially on concrete can put alot of strain on knees as opposed to lower intensity cardio activities you could be doing at the gym.