How to Protect Your Knees Every Day [View all]

[flamingdem]

http://www.rodale.com/knee-osteoarthritis

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WHAT IT MEANS: Irrespective of age, and weight, repetitive movements in some daily activities increase the risk of knee osteoarthritis. Squatting, say the study authors, was no surprise, having been proven in prior studies to be a risk factor for knee osteoarthritis. In fact, they cite another study, whose authors think that repeated squatting has “significant implications for the long-term mechanical function and structural integrity of the joint cartilage.” Cycling, however, is a different story.

“Cycling is considered to be low-impact on the knees,” says Mike Cushionbury, an editor at Bicycling magazine. “But there are a few bike fit mistakes that can void that." The most common, he says, is keeping the saddle too low. When that happens, your really only using your thighs to pedal, instead of the entire leg. That creates extra pressure on the knee joint, which can cause damage to your knees.