Strong Muscles, Strong Knees

Strong Muscles, Strong Knees

Often, a muscle imbalance, in which one muscle or muscle group is stronger than another, causes knee problems. In other cases, lack of flexibility can contribute to knee pain or injury. In order for knees to function well, the muscles around them need to be both strong and flexible. You can do this by strengthening and stretching both the quadriceps (the muscles in the front of the thigh) and the hamstrings (the muscles at the back of the thigh). While rest is important when you injure your knee, too much rest can contribute to knee problems. Lack of use can cause muscles to weaken. Gentle exercise such as swimming can help keep muscles toned even when knees are a bit sore. And regular exercise can correct imbalances, increase flexibility, and prevent many injuries. However, not all exercises are healthy for the knees. Avoid loading the knee with weight when it's in a 90-degree position (that's the same angle it's in when you're sitting in a chair) or bent even more than that (such as in a baseball catcher's position), especially if you have kneecap pain. Unless you are getting up from sitting, avoid this position.

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