Exercise Tips for Sore Knees

As people age the delicate tissues that make up their joints become more prone to strain and injury. Because most of the body’s weight must be supported by the knees, these sensitive areas are especially likely to become sore. There are no muscles in the human knee that can be strengthened, but knee exercises are still a vital addition to a workout.

Exercisers who are prone to sore knees should begin and end every workout session by stretching. This will prevent the muscles around the knee from becoming tight. Standing quadriceps stretches will protect the front of the knee, while calf stretches can help prevent pain at the back of the knee. A calf stretch is a must for anyone who plans to run, use an elliptical or do any weight-bearing exercise. These stretches can be done while standing, sitting or lying on the floor with a leg raised. Hamstring stretches will reduce soreness in the knees and back.

Because knees are joints, the muscles that surround them can be strengthened to reduce soreness. The main muscle groups of the leg should work together to move the body forward. An exerciser should pay careful attention to the quadriceps, calves and hamstrings. If one muscle group is overdeveloped or tight, the knees will have to deal with an excessive amount of strain. Leg circles are a good exercise for developing these muscles.

For some people, the key to reducing knee soreness is weight-bearing exercise. Residents of Ft. Lauderdale may be tempted to take up walking or jogging during the cooler winter months. Overweight exercisers should be aware these activities actually increase joint pain. An overweight patient who is prone to knee injuries should consider a lap band procedure. This common medical procedure can reduce the risk of knee injuries by decreasing a patient’s weight. The new Stomaphy X device can reduce the volume of a stomach pouch and help prevent the resurgence in weight that can sometimes occur after a weight reduction surgery. This will keep excess weight off of the sensitive knee joint.