Walking For Exercise May Help Alleviate Knee Discomfort

Walking for exercise can provide cardiovascular health benefits and help with weight loss. According to a recent study, walking for exercise may also help alleviate knee discomfort in people aged 50 and older.

Participants in the study included 1,212 adults aged 50 and older who took part in the Osteoarthritis Initiative. Participants self-reported the amount of time and frequency that they walked for exercise. Knee discomfort was evaluated at baseline and after 2 years.

Participants who reported walking for exercise had a 40% decreased risk of new, frequent knee discomfort compared to those who did not walk for exercise. They also experienced less medial joint space narrowing, which is a loss of cartilage in the knee.

The study was conducted by researchers from Baylor College of Medicine. It was published online ahead of print on June 8, 2022 in the journal Arthritis & Rheumatology.

A previous study found that curcumin may help relieve knee discomfort.