People Who Engage in High-Intensity Exercise. There has been some question about the role of strenuous exercise in osteoarthritis. Sports that definitely pose a higher risk for osteoarthritis are those that require repetitive or direct joint impact (such as football), twisting, or both (baseball pitching, soccer).
Marathon runners, however, have a relatively low rate of osteoarthritis. Some scientists speculate that running enhances cartilage health because the rhythmical compression of cartilage expels wastes and promotes absorption of nutrients.
In any case, regular and moderate exercise is important for everyone and does not increase the risk for osteoarthritis. Furthermore, many factors associated with a sedentary life (muscle weakness, obesity) are associated with a high risk for osteoarthritis.
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