Is Cycling the BEST Exercise for Knee Arthritis?

Biking might be the best exercise for reducing knee pain and decreasing risk for developing knee osteoarthritis. Data taken from the osteoarthritis initiative shows that people who participated in bicycling had a lower prevalence of knee pain and less overall arthritis, even after adjusting for age and gender. So the question is, why? Why is bicycling so good at decreasing knee pain and decreasing risk for arthritis, especially when compared to other forms of exercise?

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► ABOUT ME

Jeffrey Peng MD is a nonoperative orthopedist and sports medicine specialist. He focuses on maximizing non-surgical treatments for sports injuries and orthopedic conditions. He specializes in using orthobiologics and ultrasound guided minimally invasive techniques to treat osteoarthritis, tendinopathies, and musculoskeletal disorders.

Dr. Peng is board certified in sports medicine and family medicine. He completed residency with the Stanford family medicine residency program and completed his sports medicine training with the Stanford primary care sports medicine fellowship in San Jose. He is an active faculty member for both programs and is excited about training the next generation of physicians.

Dr. Peng’s sports medicine clinic is located in Campbell, California.

► Disclaimer

My content reflects my own opinion and does not represent the views or opinions of my employers or hospital systems I am affiliated with. They are meant for educational purposes only. They do not substitute for the medical advice of a physician. Always seek the advice of your physician with any questions you may have regarding your health.

[mini]

Great timing😇😇I was just thinking about this subject😀😀thank you for sharing 🙏🙏

[lohpl]

I know my question is nit related to today's topic but it had bugging a lot. Here it is. How long would PRP would last and begin with a new sessions after the first completed number of sessions?

[fernandog.aguirre]

I love this info, after suffering a knee issue and going through knee surgery I'm going back to ride my road bike! This video is supporting my iniciative! Thank YOU!

[parimal]

Very informative, very well spoken well presented video. What is your opinion for elliptical trainer? Good as cycling or high impact? Thank you kindly.

[dunitasbrotton]

l am 63, l use a static bike, that is high quality (uses magnets ) and the cycling is very smooth and you can download different programs so it is harder at times. l used to think that cycling was great since it has "low impact" on your knees, etc and it creates muscle and it is a good cardio vascular exercise, but l found out l have CONDROMALACIA patellar and l am bone on bone ( LEVEL4) on my left knee and LEVEL 3 on my right knee, l did exercise with a phisiotherapist and it helped a lot (my knees have never been stiff) they just hurt (piercing pain) when walking or using stairs. Now they do not hurt unless l've been standing without moving for several hours.
My phisiotherapist told me that CYCLING was OK AS WARMING UP exercise to get the blood flowing and lubricating knee before exercise( for cuadriceps, hamstrings, etc) BUT BAD for more than 10 MINUTES smooth NO RESISTANCE. REPETITIVE EXCERSICE WOULD DAMAGE MORE MY KNEES. What is your opinion? thanks in advance.

[lohpl]

2nd question. Would walking on threadmills help to reduce OA?

[simonefongkong]

I have existing knee issues and cycling sometimes make my knee hurt especially after doing inclines

[coachab]

Does cycling increase hip arthritis or bursitis ?

[marvinfalikovic]

What about elliptical machines in reducing knee osteoarthritis

[nelmarsubsuban]

Cycling is a game-changer for knee pain! 🚴‍♂✨ I also add NutraHarmony’s magnesium for extra joint support. Feeling the benefits! Anyone else? #JointRelief