If you’ve ever had knee pain, arthritis, or knee surgery, you’ve probably heard that cycling is good for your knees. But why? Cycling places about half the load on your knee compared to walking.
That’s why it’s commonly recommended during rehabilitation.
However, not all cycling is the same. Knee loading changes depending on how you ride. Several factors can dictate how much stress may be placed on the knees. These factors include:
1. Resistance (Power)
Higher resistance on the bike increases knee joint forces.
Low resistance = lower stress on the knee.
2. Cadence
Pedaling faster with less resistance actually reduces knee joint forces by up to 40%. That is why we will often recommend light resistance and higher RPM (aka faster pedaling) in rehab.
3. Seat Height
Seat position matters and is especially important for knee comfort with biking. A lower seat height increases certain knee forces, especially shear forces across the joint. A seat that is too far forward can also place too much tension across the front of the knee.
A properly adjusted seat helps keep knee stress lower.
Why We Use Cycling in Rehab at Aureum Physio
Cycling provides several benefits:
✔ Improves joint mobility
✔ Strengthens leg muscles
✔ Improves cardiovascular fitness
✔ Keeps joint loading relatively low
Because of this, it’s commonly used after:
- Knee surgery
- Knee arthritis
- Meniscus injuries
- Cartilage procedures
- ACL reconstruction
The Key: Proper Exercise Prescription & Seat Adjustment
While cycling is generally knee-friendly, how you perform it matters. The best approach typically includes:
✔ Low resistance
✔ Moderate to higher cadence
✔ Proper bike fit
How We Use Cycling at Aureum Physio
At Aureum Physio in Cary, we use cycling strategically during knee rehabilitation to:
- restore knee motion
- build strength safely
- improve endurance
- control joint loading during healing
By adjusting resistance, cadence, and bike setup, we ensure the exercise matches your injury, goals, and recovery stage.