Top Tips to help prevent knee injuries
The knee joint can be susceptible to damage, as it bears the full weight of the body as well as many other impacts and forces caused by intense activities or exercise. Preventing injuries is always better than recovering from them afterwards, so be sure to read our checklist below to help you keep your knees healthy
- Get the correct gear
An pair of supportive shoes or sports trainers make all the difference to correct leg alignment and balance. Getting advice from a specialist running shop will help you find a pair suitable for your body type and running style. Wearing the appropriate protective equipment can help prevent injuries being sustained when playing contact sports. Your choice of clothing can also have an influence on the motion of your body during intense activities, so be sure to dress in suitable apparel that doesn’t restrict movement.
- Warm up and Cool down
Your body performs better when it has a chance to adapt to the extra stress of exercise. A good warm up routine prepares your body for upcoming activity; getting blood flowing and increasing your body temperature. Preparing your body before you begin any intense movements will allow your body to adjust to the extra pressure and help minimise the chance of injury
- Stretching and Training
Stretching helps improve flexibility, which in turn helps to decrease the risk of sustaining an injury. Adding weight training to your exercise routine also helps build strength. Be sure to focus not just on your legs, but on your whole body, especially core strength. Consider working with a personal trainer or physiotherapist to help you develop an effective routine that increases your strength/flexibility and decreases your risk of injury
- Build up gradually
Dramatically increasing the intensity of your exercise over a short period of time will often result in injuries. Your body needs time to recover after exercise as well as time to adapt to the new activities and stresses that it is placed under. If you are preparing for a big event such as a marathon make sure that you leave enough time to increase your activity levels gradually, ensuring your body has adequate time for rest and recovery.
- Get advice
If you have an old or recurring knee injury it is always worth seeking advice from a healthcare professional. A physiotherapist can recommend exercises and routines that will build up strength and flexibility. For more serious knee issues your doctor may recommend wearing a knee support or knee brace to help recovery and rehabilitation. Neo G offer a range of knee supports and braces which can help a variety of injuries. Click here to see an overview
