Many people underestimate the importance of good health until they develop a painful injury or condition. One common issue many people report when growing older is knee pain, which can be caused by increased pressure when walking, wear and tear, or weakening muscles and ligaments.
Of course, various conditions can cause unwanted knee pain, such as arthritis, tendonitis, cartilage tears, and gout. While people over the age of 65 are more likely to experience knee pain, an injury or condition can develop at any time and affect a person’s quality of life.
If you are suffering from pain or want to avoid developing a potential injury or condition, you might wish to perform various exercises to make it stronger. However, some Damaging activities can have an adverse effect on your knee.
Learn about the six most damaging activities for your knee.
1. Squatting
As squatting is known for improving joint stability, many people might believe it is an ideal exercise for knee pain. However, if you are living with an injury or arthritis, you might experience more discomfort, as the physical activity will place extra pressure on your knees.
Prevent further pain by performing wall squats, especially if you have arthritis in your knees. Also, wear a knee support during exercises requiring leg movement, and pick the correct option to suit your specific needs.
Visit www.podobrace.co.uk to find knee support that will provide the right level of protection for rheumatoid arthritis, overuse, severe osteoarthritis, sprains, and much more.
2. Running
Running can provide your body with various benefits, from maintaining a healthy weight to supporting good mental health. However, if you are living with a medical condition that causes knee pain, you might experience additional discomfort or pain after running on a treadmill or outdoors.
Yet, you can improve comfort and prevent pain by:
- Wearing supportive, sturdy running shoes to protect your joints
- Stopping right away when experiencing pain when running
- Running outdoors on grass, gravel, dirt, or asphalt and avoiding hard concrete
If you are new to running and have osteoarthritis, it might be wise to pick a different physical activity to get your heart pumping. It can take many years for experienced runners to develop the correct running form and increased muscle support.
If the exercise isn’t part of your daily routine, it might be a wise idea to choose a physical activity that is kinder on your joints, such as swimming or yoga.
Also Read: 8 Magical Tricks to Cure Knee Pain
3. Sitting for Too Long
Too much joint activity may lead to knee pain, but too little can also cause the unpleasant complaint. If you sit for too long each day, you will weaken your muscles and increase your risk of mild or severe knee pain.
Even if you struggle with knee pain now, you must get your body moving each day to decrease pain and discomfort.
For example, you could:
- Enjoy a daily walk
- Go swimming
- Join a water aerobics class
4. Lunges
If you live with osteoarthritis in your knee, lunges can improve or increase pain. While the exercise is ideal for improving hip and leg strength, it can lead to unnecessary pain when performed incorrectly or without support.
To enjoy all the benefits of lunges without the downsides, you must ensure your knee doesn’t go past your ankle when performing a lunge. Also, hold the back of a chair or table to improve your support during the exercise.
If you experience more discomfort than normal or notice a change in your pain, stop the exercise right away to protect your health.
5. High-Impact Exercises
If you are living with knee pain daily, it might be time to give up high-impact exercises, such as kickboxing, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), or running. The Damaging physical activities will add extra pressure onto your joints and exacerbate existing knee pain.
If you can’t bear the thought of giving up a high-impact exercise, you may benefit from wearing a knee support, attending physical therapy, or undergoing knee replacement surgery.
If you haven’t received a diagnosis for your knee pain, book an appointment with a Dr. Benoit Benoit to learn more about the issue and identify the best treatment options for your needs and lifestyle.
6. High-Risk Sports
Certain sports can cause damage to your anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Approximately 150,000 people will experience an ACL injury each year in the United States, and it is linked to various high-risk sports, such as:
- Soccer
- Basketball
- Football
- Roller derby
- Volleyball
For example, if you play roller derby, you will likely need to perform various fast twists, cuts, and jumps that could potentially rupture an ACL. Women are also two to eight times more likely to sustain an ACL tear due to the way they jump, land, or turn during sports, which can place extra strain on their ACL.
Hi, I’m the Founder and Developer of Paramedics World, a blog truly devoted to Paramedics. I am a Medical Lab Tech, a Web Developer and Bibliophiliac. My greatest hobby is to teach and motivate other peoples to do whatever they wanna do in life.