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Accelerometer-measured physical activity is associated with knee breadth in middle-aged Finns - a population-based
Juho-Antti Junno1,2,3,4, Asla Keisu1,2, Maisa Niemelä1,5
1Medical Research Center, Oulu University Hospital and University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
|June 1, 2022
Summary
Higher moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) is linked to larger knee joint size in adults. This suggests MVPA may help reduce knee strain and prevent joint issues.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Sports Medicine
- Biomechanics
Background:
- Articular surface size is traditionally stable in adulthood.
- Larger joint size can decrease bone and cartilage strain.
- The link between physical activity and joint size is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and knee morphology.
- To clarify the role of MVPA in tibiofemoral joint size.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 1508 individuals from the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966.
- Measured MVPA using accelerometers at age 46.
- Assessed knee dimensions via radiographs (femoral biepicondylar breadth, femoral condyle breadth, tibial plateau breadth).
Main Results:
- MVPA positively correlated with all three knee breadth measurements in both sexes.
- Each 60 min/day increase in MVPA was associated with 1.8-2.0% larger knee dimensions in women and 1.4-1.6% in men.
- Associations remained significant after adjusting for BMI, smoking, education, and weartime.
Conclusions:
- Increased MVPA is associated with larger tibiofemoral joint dimensions.
- MVPA may influence knee size through biomechanical mechanisms, potentially reducing tissue strain.
- Further research is needed to explore the link between joint articulation area and musculoskeletal health.
