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[abuali]

doc

Thanks for your time.

A quick questions. I see many people jog on tarmac.

I remember reading somewhere that this (and even fast walking on tarmac) can damage one's knees.

How much truth is there in this?

[Mohamed]

hasin

What you are referring to is called Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS), also referred to as runner’s knee. As for your question regarding jogging on tarmac, I am yet to find appropriate medical literature linking the two. What I have found though, is that there is an inherent risk that comes with jogging especially if the technique is not correct. There have been reports of some professional athletes who developed PFPS despite running on dirt or asphalt and never on concrete. The issue here is the high impact that the knees are exposed to during this exercise and I believe brisk walking probably can contribute to it as well because it is a milder variant of the jog. Issues like Obesity, inappropriate footwear and over exertion can hasten and aggravate knee problems. It’s always best to adhere to a good technique.

That having been said, this message should definitely not be used as a pretense to avoid jogging. It is a very beneficial exercise and recommended by most doctors. Problems like the ones mentioned above are not so common and the key to good performance is a good technique. I think it is always a good idea to jog off the tarmac. In any case at least that will help avoid accidents with speeding vehicles.

Hope this information is useful.

[abuali]