Cartilage Question

[Alan Tseng]

I was wondering, what roles do cartilage play in athletic performance?  (Rather than just connecting bones)

[Mikkel Ravn]

...and is cartilage worn by strength training, or does strength training promote cartilage health?

[Douglas Wadle]

Cartilage doesn't actually connect bones, but rather it provides a smooth gliding surface where bones meet.  the bones are connected by ligaments.  Cartilage doesn't receive its own blood supply, so it completely reliant on synovial fluid delivering nutrients, which is enhanced by physical activity, movement, weight bearing, etc.  It's the old tradition that said you would wear it down, that runners would develop knee arthritis, that power lifters would develop hip arthritis, etc.  The fact of the matter is, running decreases knee arthritis, and strength training similarly provides improved nutrient delivery. there's some thought now that in fact mobility is important to joint health, as too tight of ligaments and muscles pull the joints together in an abnormal fashion.  Strong muscles support the joints so you don't have to rely on the ligaments and the cartilage is under less trauma.

[Alan Tseng]

so what's the importance of cartilages in terms of athletic performance

[Douglas Wadle]

only that you need it for smooth functioning of the joint. It's not something that is worked out like a muscle.  Exercise keeps it healthy, but one person's healthy cartilage is as good as another's.  You don't "train" your cartilage to be better.  Training helps keep it healthy.  Don't know if that answers your question...

[David McManamon]

You may notice kids easily placing their feet behind their heads, connective tissue in children very flexible and as we age that flexibility declines so if your athletic performance is dependent on joint mobility, such as a smooth transition from front to middle splits then cartilage is playing a role.  Alternatively, your performance may depend on joint strength built up over time too, think iron cross.  It is important to remember that since blood flow is limited to cartilage injuries will take a long time to heal and changes are generally slower than our muscles.

[Alessandro Mainente]

Cartilage absorbs the compression and force of gravity during exercises. if you do not have cartilage you will develop arthritis. this means bone grides against another bone. usually it can happen for example with torn ACL, everytime your bone slips outside the joint you can feel exactly the sensation of being without cartilage.

[Alan Tseng]

Cartilage absorbs the compression and force of gravity during exercises.

Okay thanks, that was the answer I was looking for