Running and knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic condition characterized by pain, impaired function, and reduced quality of life. A number of risk factors for knee OA have been identified, such as obesity, occupation, and injury. The association between knee OA and physical activity or particular sport...
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| Format: | Article |
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SAGE
2017
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| Online Access: | https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/42625/ |
| _version_ | 1848796530277875712 |
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| author | Timmins, Kate A. Batt, Mark E. Edwards, Kimberley L. |
| author_facet | Timmins, Kate A. Batt, Mark E. Edwards, Kimberley L. |
| author_sort | Timmins, Kate A. |
| building | Nottingham Research Data Repository |
| collection | Online Access |
| description | Background:
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic condition characterized by pain, impaired function, and reduced quality of life. A number of risk factors for knee OA have been identified, such as obesity, occupation, and injury. The association between knee OA and physical activity or particular sports such as running is less clear. Previous reviews, and the evidence that informs them, present contradictory or inconclusive findings.
Purpose:
This systematic review aimed to determine the association between running and the development of knee OA.
Study Design:
Systematic review and meta-analysis.
Methods:
Four electronic databases were searched, along with citations in eligible articles and reviews and the contents of recent journal issues. Two reviewers independently screened the titles and abstracts using prespecified eligibility criteria. Full-text articles were also independently assessed for eligibility. Eligible studies were those in which running or running-related sports (eg, triathlon or orienteering) were assessed as a risk factor for the onset or progression of knee OA in adults. Relevant outcomes included (1) diagnosis of knee OA, (2) radiographic markers of knee OA, (3) knee joint surgery for OA, (4) knee pain, and (5) knee-associated disability. Risk of bias was judged by use of the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed with case-control studies investigating arthroplasty.
Results:
After de-duplication, the search returned 1322 records. Of these, 153 full-text articles were assessed; 25 were eligible, describing 15 studies: 11 cohort (6 retrospective) and 4 case-control studies. Findings of studies with a diagnostic OA outcome were mixed. Some radiographic differences were observed in runners, but only at baseline within some subgroups. Meta-analysis suggested a protective effect of running against surgery due to OA: pooled odds ratio 0.46 (95% CI, 0.30-0.71). The I2 was 0% (95% CI, 0%-73%). Evidence relating to symptomatic outcomes was sparse and inconclusive.
Conclusion:
With this evidence, it is not possible to determine the role of running in knee OA. Moderate- to low-quality evidence suggests no association with OA diagnosis, a positive association with OA diagnosis, and a negative association with knee OA surgery. Conflicting results may reflect methodological heterogeneity. More evidence from well-designed, prospective studies is needed to clarify the contradictions. |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-14T19:49:27Z |
| format | Article |
| id | nottingham-42625 |
| institution | University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus |
| institution_category | Local University |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-14T19:49:27Z |
| publishDate | 2017 |
| publisher | SAGE |
| recordtype | eprints |
| repository_type | Digital Repository |
| spelling | nottingham-426252020-04-29T16:10:53Z https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/42625/ Running and knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis Timmins, Kate A. Batt, Mark E. Edwards, Kimberley L. Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic condition characterized by pain, impaired function, and reduced quality of life. A number of risk factors for knee OA have been identified, such as obesity, occupation, and injury. The association between knee OA and physical activity or particular sports such as running is less clear. Previous reviews, and the evidence that informs them, present contradictory or inconclusive findings. Purpose: This systematic review aimed to determine the association between running and the development of knee OA. Study Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: Four electronic databases were searched, along with citations in eligible articles and reviews and the contents of recent journal issues. Two reviewers independently screened the titles and abstracts using prespecified eligibility criteria. Full-text articles were also independently assessed for eligibility. Eligible studies were those in which running or running-related sports (eg, triathlon or orienteering) were assessed as a risk factor for the onset or progression of knee OA in adults. Relevant outcomes included (1) diagnosis of knee OA, (2) radiographic markers of knee OA, (3) knee joint surgery for OA, (4) knee pain, and (5) knee-associated disability. Risk of bias was judged by use of the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed with case-control studies investigating arthroplasty. Results: After de-duplication, the search returned 1322 records. Of these, 153 full-text articles were assessed; 25 were eligible, describing 15 studies: 11 cohort (6 retrospective) and 4 case-control studies. Findings of studies with a diagnostic OA outcome were mixed. Some radiographic differences were observed in runners, but only at baseline within some subgroups. Meta-analysis suggested a protective effect of running against surgery due to OA: pooled odds ratio 0.46 (95% CI, 0.30-0.71). The I2 was 0% (95% CI, 0%-73%). Evidence relating to symptomatic outcomes was sparse and inconclusive. Conclusion: With this evidence, it is not possible to determine the role of running in knee OA. Moderate- to low-quality evidence suggests no association with OA diagnosis, a positive association with OA diagnosis, and a negative association with knee OA surgery. Conflicting results may reflect methodological heterogeneity. More evidence from well-designed, prospective studies is needed to clarify the contradictions. SAGE 2017-05 Article PeerReviewed Timmins, Kate A., Batt, Mark E. and Edwards, Kimberley L. (2017) Running and knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. American Journal of Sports Medicine, 45 (6). pp. 1447-1456. ISSN 1552-3365 osteoarthritis; running; physical activity; knee joint; systematic review http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0363546516657531 doi:10.1177/0363546516657531 doi:10.1177/0363546516657531 |
| spellingShingle | osteoarthritis; running; physical activity; knee joint; systematic review Timmins, Kate A. Batt, Mark E. Edwards, Kimberley L. Running and knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title | Running and knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_full | Running and knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_fullStr | Running and knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Running and knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_short | Running and knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_sort | running and knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| topic | osteoarthritis; running; physical activity; knee joint; systematic review |
| url | https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/42625/ https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/42625/ https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/42625/ |