[Mistletoe]

Also runners have great knee cartilage compared to sedentary people, despite the myth.

>Using motion capture and sophisticated computer modeling, the study confirms that running pummels knees more than walking does. But in the process, the authors conclude, running likely also fortifies and bulks up the cartilage, the rubbery tissue that cushions the ends of bones.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/21/well/move/why-running-won...

[viraptor]

That's mixing up repeated increased stress from running and "destroyed" from the parent comment. Those are different things.

Same situation with resistance training lightly damaging and rebuilding muscles over time and actually tearing a large part of a muscle which leaves lasting damage.

[HappMacDonald]

Is that causative though? Or do people with great cartilage simply enjoy running more because it isn't as painful?

[TeaBrain]

Why this way of looking at cartilage is a misconception is explained in the study cited by the top level comment. Cartilage in different parts of the body has been shown to be different ages, indicating that it rejuvenates and that there there isn't just a single set of good or bad cartilage.

[schwartzworld]

Any exercise is going to be uncomfortable if you haven’t conditioned yourself.