Running Has a Surprising Benefit For Your Knees, Says Expert

You've probably heard that running is tough on your knees – and even that it can cause long-term damage. But is this true?

Running is a relatively high-impact activity.

Every time your foot contacts the ground while running, your body absorbs a force that equates to about two to three times your bodyweight .

It's easy to imagine this load going straight into your knees, and it sort of does. Your knees absorb three times more load during running than walking.

But this isn't a bad thing.

In fact, running may help keep your knees strong and healthy – here's what the evidence says.

Designed to keep moving

Your body isn't simply a pile of bones and cartilage that gets worn down with every step. It is a living dynamic system that grows and adapts in response to the loads that are plac