# Is running or martial arts bad on the person knee?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-running-or-martial-arts-bad-on-the-person-knee/711370
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Created:** [January 30, 2015, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-running-or-martial-arts-bad-on-the-person-knee/711370 "2015-01-30T20:49:28Z")
**Posts on this page:** 6
**Page:** 3
### Author:  [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)
#### Post date: [February 7, 2015, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-running-or-martial-arts-bad-on-the-person-knee/711370/41 "2015-02-07T13:48:41Z")
> [@Orr\_G](#):
>
> Actually, regarding Tai Chi, there was a study that came out a few years back that specifically noted knee problems amongst practitioners. My memory is pretty foggy on the details, but the article clicked with me because I have experienced knee problems and practiced Tai Chi. I’m sure someone could google it up. …
Either you are misremembering or that one study was the very exceptional one going against everything else that has been found because [this](https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&q=tai+chi+knee&btnG=&as_sdt=1%2C14&as_sdtp=) is what a GoogleScholar search for it comes up with.
A whole bunch of studies showing improved stability and range of motion about the knee using Tai Chi. Many specifically using it to effectively treat knee osteoarthritis. Many more on its efficacy at preventing falls in those at risk both of falls and of damage from falls. Scrolling multiple pages not one like you are talking about - all documenting various benefits to the knees and to balance in general including multiple randomized controlled trials. If it is there I certainly cannot google it up. Maybe you want to try. The literature overwhelmingly supports the use of Tai Chi for those with knee issues and who would most benefit from improved balance.
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### Author:  [@AnaMen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AnaMen)
#### Post date: [February 7, 2015, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-running-or-martial-arts-bad-on-the-person-knee/711370/42 "2015-02-07T14:18:58Z")
> [@sweat209](#):
>
> If I go on a strict diet and eat only once a day:eek::eek::eek: and lose lots of weight would that get rid of the bones or tendons making popping, snapping or cracking noise and help my joints?
You would probably be malnourished, thus worsening such problems.
If you are significantly overweight, this may not be a good time for you to start running. Start with swimming, water aerobics, elliptical, rowing machine, and weight training to get yourself in shape to run.
Eat a healthy diet, eliminating added sugar, and eat several small meals per day. Eating once a day will be counterproductive.
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### Author:  [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)
#### Post date: [February 7, 2015, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-running-or-martial-arts-bad-on-the-person-knee/711370/43 "2015-02-07T14:47:32Z")
> [@sweat209](#):
>
> If I go on a strict diet and eat only once a day:eek::eek::eek: and lose lots of weight would that get rid of the bones or tendons making popping, snapping or cracking noise and help my joints?
Is the question open to everyone or just nurses, doctors and coaches?
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### Author:  [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)
#### Post date: [February 7, 2015, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-running-or-martial-arts-bad-on-the-person-knee/711370/44 "2015-02-07T14:59:00Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#):
>
> Is the question open to everyone or just nurses, doctors and coaches?
Anyone who wants to cross the bridge.
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### Author:  [@Orr\_G](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orr_G)
#### Post date: [February 7, 2015, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-running-or-martial-arts-bad-on-the-person-knee/711370/45 "2015-02-07T18:57:26Z")
> [@DSeid](#):
>
> Either you are misremembering or that one study was the very exceptional one going against everything else that has been found because [this](https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&q=tai+chi+knee&btnG=&as_sdt=1%2C14&as_sdtp=) is what a GoogleScholar search for it comes up with.
>
> A whole bunch of studies showing improved stability and range of motion about the knee using Tai Chi. Many specifically using it to effectively treat knee osteoarthritis. Many more on its efficacy at preventing falls in those at risk both of falls and of damage from falls. Scrolling multiple pages not one like you are talking about - all documenting various benefits to the knees and to balance in general including multiple randomized controlled trials. If it is there I certainly cannot google it up. Maybe you want to try. The literature overwhelmingly supports the use of Tai Chi for those with knee issues and who would most benefit from improved balance.
That’s excellent information, thank you.
I was working from a news report of a study; said article was making the rounds some years back. I should know by now to be more skeptical of such things, but I was subject to confirmation bias as what I read matched my own experience (improper form aggravating condramalacia). I appreciate you taking the time to provide better information.
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### Author:  [@sweat209](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweat209)
#### Post date: [February 22, 2015, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-running-or-martial-arts-bad-on-the-person-knee/711370/46 "2015-02-22T19:15:23Z")
This is why one should clearly see a doctor before one takes up martial arts that going be way more intensive than this.
This guy clearly has osteoporosis of bones.
police officers threw guy to ground and he can never can walk again.
I have seen hundreds of take downs on cops even more intensive than this and nothing happen.
My friend had an accident at work doing roofing and fell yes one story through the roof and no bone broken.
When I was teen friends fell of bike and no broken bones.
osteoporosis of the bones is big growing problem now days.
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