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Joint loads, or the forces to which your joints are subjected, contribute to wear and tear. Joint loads differ according to the type of activity you engage in, your technique in doing it, and your body weight. This table shows joint loads as they relate to body weight for some common exercise activities. If you weigh 150 pounds for example, and walk at 3 miles per hour (mph), you place 705 pounds of force on your hip joint (4.7 multiplied by 150) with every step. If you run at 7 mph, the load is 900 pounds.
Activity |
Hip joint load
|
Knee joint load
|
Walking (3 mph) | 4.7 | 3 |
Cycling (moderate intensity) | 1.4 | 1.2 |
Running (7 mph) | 6 | 10 |
Downhill skiing (long turns, flat slopes) | 4.5 | no data available |
Downhill skiing (medium slopes) | no data available no data available |
10 (beginner) 3.5 (skilled skier) |
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