Does running cause damage to your knees? New studies say maybe not!

Phys Ed: Can Running Actually Help Your Knees?

I was immediately drawn to this article on the well blog of the NY times. Almost every lecture I have attended for my Athletic Training Certification has taught, repetitive high impact activity will eventually wear down the cartilage of a joint in turn causing arthritis. After reading this article, I have to question what I thought to be true. I have often wondered how those people who look like they are well into their 80's are still running. Are they in pain? Do they just work through it because they love the "runners high" so much? If what the research is suggesting is true, then maybe their joints are healthier than mine. Considering I am recovering from a tear of my plantar fascia that may or may not have been caused from running the San Francisco half marathon, it may take me some time to wrap my head around this one.

I am interested in hearing what other people think about this since I am not completely convinced...Do you think running can actually help your knees?