I am wondering why elliptical and bike are considered to be low impact and better for people with bad knees. To me, these two seem to be using the knee joints more? Compared to walking or running on a treadmill
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Impact is just that – impact. A sharp, sudden force which puts a high amount of acute stress on the joints.
When you jog or run, your body leaves the ground for a moment, and the entire weight of your body is put on your knees/ankles/etc. suddenly. That creates stress on those joints and can lead to injury.
Things like biking or ellipticals don’t have that sudden jolt of force. There is a lesser, but more constant, force that is applied to the joints. This is less jarring, which means less chance of injury.
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