Research suggests that middle-aged men and women have an increased risk of arthritis if they overdo their exercise regime.

A study involving 200 people aged 45 to 55 was done in US with normal weight found those doing the most exercise were the most likely to suffer knee damage.

Researchers said that running and jumping could also do more damage to cartilage and ligaments than swimming and cycling.

It is important to keep fit and most people would not have any problems if they exercised regularly, as per one arthritis charity.

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease which causes pain, swelling and affects 8m people in the UK. It is the most common form of arthritis.

It is more common in women and the risk increases with age and weight. The findings at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America said that their study included people who had not reported any previous knee pain.

“Our data suggests that people with higher physical activity levels may be at greater risk for developing knee abnormalities and, thus, at higher risk for developing osteoarthritis,” said Study leader Dr Christoph Stehling, a researcher at the University of California, San Francisco.