title: Effect of exercise on articular cartilage.
abstract: This review primarily focuses on how the macromolecular composition and architecture of articular cartilage and its unique biomechanical properties play a pivotal role in the ability of articular cartilage to withstand mechanical loads several magnitudes higher than the weight of the individual. Current findings on short-term and long-term effects of exercise on human articular cartilage are reviewed, and the importance of appropriate exercises for individuals with normal and diseased or aberrated cartilage is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Orthopedic Science Consulting Services, Oakville, Ontario, Canada. harpal.gahunia@utoronto.ca
authors.forename: Harpal K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Gahunia
authors.forename: Kenneth P H
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Pritzker
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001835:Body Weight; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D002648:Child; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D012015:Reference Standards; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D016474:Weight-Bearing; D055815:Young Adult