Arthrose und Sport

SummaryOsteoarthrosis - a degenerative joint disease - has a high prevalence in the elderly. 70-80% of people older than 70 years of age display radiological signs of joint degeneration but only 10-30% become symptomatic. The ability to practice sport is important for people of almost all age groups. However, depending on the type of sport high joint loading forces can occur increasing the risk of injury to the articular cartilage. Thus, determining the impact of different sports on the onset and progression of osteoarthritis is of particular importance to the sports physician. While excessive joint loading forces during certain sports can promote the onset of early arthritis a chondroprotective effect has been found upon moderately intense exercise indicating that certain sports might be effective in preventing the onset of disease.