Exercise Builds Knee Cartilage

We always knew that exercise builds muscle. Then, a few years ago, we figured out that it also builds bone. Now it looks like exercise builds cartilage too. A Swedish study reported in the November issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism looked at two groups the meniscus repair patients. As reported on Forbes.com,  one group took part in a supervised program of aerobic and weight-bearing exercise for one hour, three times a week for four months. The other did not. When the study ended, researchers found that those who had exercised reported less pain and greater flexibility than those in the control group, and MRI scans revealed positive changes in the strength and elasticity of their knee cartilage. Researcher Leif Dahlberg was sufficiently impressed to suggest the exercise may help prevent the development of osteroarthritis. Read more about how moderate exercise could save your knees.