Exercise studies
We offer evidence-based answers to common questions about the effects of exercise on joint health, by applying medical research techniques on a significant scale. Below you’ll find summaries of all our completed studies, encompassing knees, hips, spine; activities that include running, walking and cycling, and a broad range of participants in terms of age, gender, outlook and fitness. Each summary gives you a simple overview, with a link to the published scientific paper.
How do core muscles differ between active and inactive people?
In this study, we used an automated method to analyse MRI scans, comparing muscle fat and lean muscle volume in highly active and physically inactive adults, and developing new combined measures of overall core muscle health.
Can AI give us a more detailed understanding of core muscle health?
Muscle fat is an important marker of muscle health, but measuring this fat accurately from MRI scans is slow, specialist work. In this study, we tested whether a deep-learning method could do the job quickly and reliably.
How does running your first marathon affect your spine?
Our first study of the spine was based on the 2019 Richmond Marathon. We wanted to better understand the impact of long-distance running on runners’ lumbar spines, by assessing changes before and after their first marathon.