STRONG MUSCLES AND LESS PAINFUL OSTEOARTHRITIS

Having strong thigh muscles may reduce risk for painful osteoarthritis of the knee, especially in women. Dr. Neil Segal of the University of Iowa found that in 30 months of data on more than 3,000 people ages 50 to 79.

Segal used X-rays to look for osteoarthritis, interviews to hear about pain, and devices that measured the strength of the muscles:

"We found that in women, more than in men, having stronger quadriceps muscles protected against risk for symptomatic knee osteoarthritis."

Segal says having strength in the quads might keep people more active – which keeps knee joints moving – and provide bracing for the knee.

The study in the journal Arthritis Care and Research was supported by the National Institutes of Health.