Participation in Athletic Activities May Be Associated with Later Development of Hip and Knee Osteoarthritis

Abstract

Participation in physical activity and recreational sports is critical for maintaining overall health; athletic activities and reduction in the incidence of several "lifestyle" diseases seem to have a dose-dependent relationship. Also, quality of life is enhanced in people who are active and regularly participate in sports. However, sports-related joint loading and strenuous occupational loading have been shown to increase the risk of osteoarthritis (OA), which seems to have a multifactorial etiology. This article reviews the literature on known connections between participation in sports and athletic activities and development of secondary OA in the joints of the major upper and lower limbs (ie, knee, hip, elbow, and shoulder) in athletes without injury. Most studies examining the connection between participation in sports and later development of OA usually provide low-level evidence and have many methodological weaknesses. Based on the literature reviewed in this article, it may be concluded that the connection between participation in athletic activities and development of OA has not been proven; however, the condition is highly likely to occur in the hip and knee joints. Definite conclusions regarding the connection between development of glenohumeral and/or elbow OA and participation in athletic activities cannot be drawn.

Measurement properties of performance-based outcome measures to assess physical function in young and middle-aged people known to be at high risk of hip and/or knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review

“…With the intention to capture tests relevant to younger people at risk of OA, two separate and searchable sub-populations that were known to be at high risk were purposely targeted. Other groups, such as people who participate in strenuous running 45,46 and sports activity 11,47,48 , were not specifically searched, as these more controversial risk factors have been reported to have no or inconsistent associations with OA. The functional demands of the performance-based tests identified for each included population was distinct.…”

J-shaped association of dietary catechins intake with the prevalence of osteoarthritis and moderating effect of physical activity: an American population-based cohort study

“…The relationship between physical activity and OA has been well-paid attention to in recent years. Homeostasis of joints and joint damage are regarded as the main causes of OA caused by PA ( 17 – 20 ). In addition, the loss of muscle strength caused by low-intensity PA is also the key to the elderly getting OA ( 21 ).…”

Development of a Mobile App to Monitor the Effectiveness of a Hydrolyzed Cartilage Matrix Supplement on Joint Discomfort: Real-World Study

“…Joint discomfort is a common problem in the daily life of active people [1]. Its development is often associated with the intensity of sports activity, the performance level (elite vs recreational), previous injuries, or other health conditions that increase the likelihood of joint injury [2][3][4]. Joint discomfort is a widespread and growing problem with aging [5] and is more likely to be experienced by women than by men [6,7].…”