Hip Replacement in Active Adults: What Sports Are Still Safe?
Published by Dr Oliver Khoo at Sunday, December 21, 2025
Hip replacement surgery is no longer reserved only for older adults with limited mobility. Today, many people undergoing hip replacement are active adults who want to return to sport, fitness, and an energetic lifestyle. Whether you enjoy walking, gym training, swimming, or recreational sports, it’s natural to ask: what activities are still safe after a hip replacement, and when can I return to them?
The good news is that modern hip replacement techniques and implant designs allow most patients to resume a wide range of physical activities. However, not all sports place the same demands on the hip joint. Understanding low-, moderate-, and high-impact activities — and the recommended timelines for each — is essential for protecting your new hip and maximising its lifespan.
This article explains what active adults can realistically expect after hip replacement, which sports are generally considered safer, and how to return to activity in a way that supports long-term joint health.
Regular physical activity plays a key role in recovery and long-term outcomes after hip replacement. Movement helps restore strength, improve flexibility, maintain bone health, and support cardiovascular fitness. Staying active also contributes to mental wellbeing and confidence in everyday movement.
That said, the artificial hip joint is still a mechanical structure. Excessive impact, repetitive heavy loading, or sudden twisting movements can increase wear on the implant or raise the risk of complications. This is why activity recommendations focus on managing impact rather than avoiding movement altogether.
Sports and exercises are commonly grouped into low-, moderate-, and high-impact categories based on how much force they place through the hip joint.
Rather than relying on strict rules, surgeons assess each patient individually, taking into account age, fitness level, bone quality, surgical approach, and prior sporting experience.
Below is a practical breakdown to guide expectations.
Low-impact activities place minimal stress on the hip joint and are generally encouraged for long-term participation.
Common low-impact activities include:
Typical timeline:
These activities are considered the foundation of an active lifestyle after hip replacement and are often recommended indefinitely.
Moderate-impact sports involve higher loads, quicker movements, or controlled impact. Many active adults successfully return to these activities once strength, balance, and confidence have been restored.
Common moderate-impact activities include:
Typical timeline:
These activities require good hip control and strong surrounding muscles. Progression should be gradual, starting at a lower intensity and increasing over time.
High-impact sports generate repetitive or sudden forces through the hip joint and may accelerate implant wear or increase the risk of loosening.
Examples of high-impact activities include:
Typical timeline:
For highly active patients, decisions around high-impact sports are made on an individual basis. Some surgeons may allow short-distance running or occasional participation, while others recommend alternative activities that reduce joint stress.
Strength training is not only safe after hip replacement — it is strongly encouraged when done correctly. Building strength around the hip improves stability, protects the joint, and supports overall athletic performance.
Key principles for strength training include:
Most patients can return to supervised strength training around 8 to 12 weeks, with progression guided by a physiotherapist.
One of the most common mistakes active adults make is returning to sport too quickly. Pain-free movement does not always mean full readiness for higher loads.
A safe return to sport usually follows this sequence:
Listening to your body and following professional guidance helps reduce the risk of setbacks.
Modern hip replacements are designed to last many years, often decades. Staying active supports joint health, but longevity depends on balancing activity with protection.
Choosing lower-impact alternatives, cross-training, and maintaining a healthy body weight all contribute to the long-term success of a hip replacement.
Running is considered a high-impact activity and may increase wear on the implant. Some patients return to short-distance or recreational running, but this should be discussed with your surgeon and approached cautiously.
Yes. Cycling is a low-impact activity and is commonly recommended once strength and mobility have returned. Stationary bikes are often introduced first.
Light gym-based exercise usually begins around 6 to 8 weeks, with strength training progressing from 8 to 12 weeks under guidance.
Most patients return to golf around 10 to 12 weeks after surgery. Starting with putting and short swings before full rounds is advised.
High-impact and repetitive loading sports may increase wear over time. Low- and moderate-impact activities are less likely to affect implant longevity.
Not necessarily. Restrictions are individual and based on risk tolerance, implant type, and overall health. Many patients remain active long-term with sensible modifications.