
¿Es malo correr para tus rodillas?
Revisado por pares por Dr Colin Tidy, MRCGPÚltima actualización por Victoria RawLast updated 18 May 2026
Cumple con las directrices editoriales
- DescargarDescargar
- Compartir
- Language
- Discusión
- Versión en audio
- Add to preferred sources on Google
If you're taking up running, you may be wondering if it's is bad for your knees. In fact, this cardiovascular exercise can help to keep your knees and other joints healthy.
La clave es no poner más tensión en tus rodillas de la que tu cuerpo puede soportar.
En este artículo:
Video picks for Ejercicio y actividad física
Continúa leyendo abajo
¿Es malo correr para tus rodillas?
It is not correr that's bad for your knees, but running when your knees can't take the stress that the activity places on them. If you have no existing knee or other joint issues, fitness specialists like Laura Williams advise running as a way to keep your knees healthy.
"Nowadays, it's thought that running helps to keep your joints healthy, as it increases strength in both your bones and muscles," she says. "Running involves several joints - including your hip, knee, and ankle joints."
The knee is one of the largest joints in your body, and is the area where your thighbone (femur) joins your kneecap (patella), shinbone (tibia) and the smaller bone that runs alongside it (fibula). Ejercicios de fortalecimiento muscular are great for your joints because they build the muscles that surround them. This provides more support for your connecting bones, which in turn reduces stress and weight on your joints.
¿Por qué me duelen las rodillas cuando corro?
Volver al contenidoIf running isn't bad for your knees, why then do dolor e lesiones de rodilla sometimes occur? Running is high-impact because it involves jolting movements as your feet leave and hit the ground. This can be jarring on your joints and particularly your knees, the impact putting a high level of stress on them.
Experimentar dolor de rodilla durante o después de correr puede deberse a una presión excesiva entre la rótula y el fémur. Este dolor puede aparecer y desaparecer y generalmente se siente en la parte frontal de la rodilla, aunque a menudo es difícil localizar exactamente el lugar del dolor.
Throughout your life, your joints will go through inevitable wear and tear. Regular physical activity is integral to maintaining a full range of motion in your joints, but it's important to balance high-impact exercise with low-impact activity and rest.
Williams summarises the essential considerations for runners, explaining: "Ultimately, how running impacts your joints will depend on how you run, how often you run, and how far you run, as well as any injury history."
Continúa leyendo abajo
Los efectos a largo plazo de correr
Volver al contenidoEl desgaste de las articulaciones es una parte natural del envejecimiento, and may lead to joint issues such as dolor, stiffness, cirugías de reemplazo articular, y artrosis later in life. Contrary to popular belief, high-impact activities such as running do not increase the likelihood of joint complaints on their own.
For instance, many estudios have found no correlation between running and artrosis - the wearing down of joint cartilage. When investigaciones has shown an association between high-volume or high-intensity running with osteoarthritis, it hasn't been possible to determine whether other factors such as previous injury have played a role.
On the other hand, a 2020 estudio not only found running to have no effect on joint cartilage volume or thickness, but also suggested that it promoted cartilage nutrition.
¿Cómo evitan los corredores el daño en las articulaciones?
Volver al contenidoTo reduce your chance of knee injury, there are steps you can follow to keep your knees supported while running.
Zapatos para correr
The first step is to encuentra un zapato para correr que brinde soporte.
"Ensure you run in shoes that offer some cushioning and stability, and are suitable for the surface you'll be running on too," says Williams.
Factors include finding the perfect shoe width, cushion level, and arch support for your feet. Research shows that your shoes can significantly reduce your chance of running-related injury. If possible, it helps to have your shoes fitted properly in-store.
Estiramiento
Estiramiento before and after you run can help prevent knee injury. If you run with tight muscles, you're more likely to run with poor form and your muscles won't support your joints as effectively. Stretching after a run while your muscles are still warm will help maintain muscle flexibility - removing stress from your joints.
Forma de correr
Una buena técnica de carrera puede reducir significativamente el impacto en tus rodillas. Esto incluye mantener una buena postura, mirar hacia adelante, mantener los codos en ángulo de 90°, y golpear el suelo con la parte media del pie en lugar del talón.
Descanso adecuado y aumentos graduales
"Permite que tu cuerpo se recupere completamente después de cada carrera," advierte Williams. "Toma días de descanso adecuados y evita aumentos bruscos en la distancia."
Si estás comenzando un nuevo programa de running este año, no aumentes la intensidad del entrenamiento demasiado rápido. Es fundamental incrementar gradualmente la distancia de carrera y comenzar con muchos días de descanso. Tu cuerpo, incluyendo tus rodillas, necesita tiempo para adaptarse al ejercicio de alto impacto de forma regular.
Este consejo no es solo para principiantes. Muchos corredores experimentados siguen la regla del 10%, aumentando su kilometraje semanal en un máximo del 10% por semana.
Superficies más suaves
While running is high-impact, studies show that the impact exerted through your knees can be reduced by running on softer surfaces - including grass, woodchip, or a treadmill - as opposed to hard surfaces such as cement.
Añadiendo variedad a tu rutina de ejercicio
Williams also recommends mixing up your fitness routine with otros ejercicios de bajo impacto.
"In order to keep your running as joint-friendly as possible, you should aim to combine it with other sports that are lower in impact," she says. "Cycling, swimming, and rowing will all help to maintain fitness, minus the load."
Continúa leyendo abajo
¿Cuándo debo evitar correr?
Volver al contenidoExperts have identified the main risk factor for knee issues - or indeed any other running-related injuries - as previous injury in the previous 12 months. Running is bad for your knees if you attempt to run before existing knee pain, stiffness, and injury have fully healed.
If you experience knee pain or stiffness during or after running, listen to your body and rest until your joints have recovered. If after a few days of rest your knee is still causing you discomfort, you can consult your doctor who may refer you to a physiotherapist.
Patient picks for Ejercicio y actividad física

Vida saludable
What are the long-term benefits of exercise?
Staying active helps us to improve our flexibility, weight management, and mental health - and its effects can be seen almost immediately. But doing regular exercise also helps you stay healthier for longer in later life.
por Lynn Stephen

Salud mental
Cómo manejar el estrés a través del ejercicio
Hay evidencia sólida que sugiere que mantenerse activo nos ayuda a afrontar el estrés, y a medida que continúa aumentando el costo de vida, también aumenta la prevalencia del agotamiento. El ejercicio y otras técnicas pueden ayudar a manejar los signos de estrés mientras abordas la raíz del problema.
por Lynn Stephen
Preguntas frecuentes
Can running contribute to joint pain if I already have a pre-existing knee condition?
If you have an existing knee issue or other joint problem, running can place stress on your knees that they may not be able to handle. It's important to only run when your knees can take the stress of the activity.
What kind of exercises can I do to strengthen the muscles around my knees?
Muscle-strengthening exercises are beneficial for your joints. They build up the muscles surrounding your knees, providing more support for your bones and reducing stress and weight on the joints.
If I feel a sharp pain in my knee while running, should I stop immediately?
If you experience knee pain or stiffness during or after running, you should listen to your body and rest. It's important to give your joints time to recover before running again.
How long should I rest my knee if it's sore after a run?
You should rest your knee until the pain or stiffness has gone. If your knee is still bothering you after a few days of rest, it's advisable to speak to your doctor.
What is the '10% rule' for increasing running mileage?
The '10% rule' is a guideline many experienced runners follow. It suggests increasing your weekly running mileage by a maximum of 10% per week. This gradual increase helps your body, including your knees, adapt to the demands of regular high-impact exercise.
Are there specific types of running shoes that are better for knee support?
When choosing running shoes, look for ones that offer good cushioning and stability, and are appropriate for the surface you'll be running on. Factors like shoe width, cushion level, and arch support are also important. Getting your shoes properly fitted in-store can be very helpful.
What does 'good running form' mean and how does it help my knees?
Good running form means maintaining proper posture, looking straight ahead, keeping your elbows bent at 90-degree angles, and striking the ground with your mid-foot instead of your heel. This technique can significantly reduce the impact and stress on your knees.
Continúa leyendo abajo
About the authorView full bio

Amberley Davis
Escritora senior
BA (Hons), CPD
Amberley es una escritora senior en Patient y ha escrito extensamente sobre una variedad de temas de salud y bienestar.
About the reviewerView full bio

Dr Colin Tidy, MRCGP
Médico General, Autor Médico
MBBS, MRCGP, MRCP (Paediatrics), DCH
Dr Colin Tidy is an NHS Doctor, based in Oxfordshire.
Historial del artículo
La información en esta página es revisada por pares por clínicos calificados.
Next review due: 18 May 2026
18 May 2026 | Última versión
10 de enero de 2022 | Publicado originalmente
Escrito por:
Amberley Davis

Pregunta, comparte, conecta.
Navega por discusiones, haz preguntas y comparte experiencias en cientos de temas de salud.

¿Te sientes mal?
Evalúa tus síntomas en línea de forma gratuita
Suscríbete al boletín de Patient
Tu dosis semanal de consejos de salud claros y confiables, escritos para ayudarte a sentirte informado, seguro y en control.
By subscribing you accept our Política de Privacidad. Puedes darte de baja en cualquier momento. Nunca vendemos tus datos.