Football Protection Essentials: Football Knee Braces and Their 4 Types
Soccer is one of the most popular sports in the world, and there is no doubt about that. We all know how the World Cup attracts billions of people. It’s loved so much that soccer is believed to be not just a game; it is a global phenomenon.
While you run, fall, and twist during soccer, it creaks, bends, straightens, and rotates slightly. Yes, we are talking about the knee joint, which is at a high risk of injury during such sports. But there’s a way out, helping you prevent injury. And that is using football knee braces.
But what are these really? And how do they help in protecting the knees? Let’s find that out.
The Popularity of Soccer in Life Stages
Soccer holds a special place in the hearts of many people across all stages of life. From children to adults, soccer appeals to everyone, no matter the age.
The love for soccer deepens even more as children grow. Organized teams, structured training, and competitive plays train most of them to become professional soccer players. And idolizing world-class players like Lionel Messi, more kids sitting at home feel the itch to go and kick a ball in the field.
Football remains the favorite game of many adults, particularly those around the age of 30. Since this game offers them a way to stay active, maintain social ties, and relieve stress, soccer is loved by working professionals and adults.
While it remains such a popular sport at every stage of life, from childhood to adulthood, it presents many physical challenges, particularly to the knees.
The knee absorbs almost 80% of our body weight when standing; activities like running, jumping, and sudden changes in direction when playing can strain the knee joints. This often leads to severe injuries. However, football knee braces provide support and stability, making it easier to prevent these injuries.
Essential Soccer Protection: Football Knee Braces
1. Football and Soccer
Football, known as soccer in North America, is played between two teams, each consisting of 11 players, including a goalkeeper[1]. Players are allowed to use any part of their bodies except their hands and arms to maneuver the ball into the opposing team's goal, with the exception that goalkeepers can use their hands and arms within their own penalty area. The team that scores more goals will win the match.
2. Soccer Position Distribution
Soccer team positioning is important to maintain an effective strategy throughout the game. The following are the main positions:
- Defenders: Prevent the opposing team from scoring. This group has full-backs and central defenders.
- Goalkeeper: They stop shots on goal, acting as the last line of defense.
- Forwards: Their job is to score goals. They include strikers and wingers.
- Midfielders: They link the defense and attack. They are divided into defensive midfielders, Central midfielders, attacking midfielders, and wide midfields.
3. Football Player Knee Brace
Given the physical demands of soccer, knee injuries are pretty common. To avoid this, football knee braces are commonly used as protective equipment. They have benefits for soccer players across all positions.
Here’s how football knee braces help players:
- Preventing Injury: When playing soccer, your knee moves a lot. It needs additional support to prevent injuries like sprains, tears, and sprains. Football knee braces help exactly with that.
- Helping in Recovery: We all underestimate the potential of football knee braces in helping players recover from knee injuries. Since these braces limit harmful movements and continuously provide support, they help players return to the field in a very short time.
- Improving Athletic Performance: A knee brace for football is highly effective in stabilizing knee joints during rigorous activities like running, jumping, etc. This support is especially needed for forwards and midfielders who have to perform quick movements.
Main Types of Football Knee Braces
The football knee braces are of the following four types:
1. Mild to Moderate Support: Compression Football Knee Brace
This is the best knee brace for football that helps heal minor injuries, like minor patellar misalignment. This proves helpful in providing targeted support to the knee joint, hence minimizing the risk of strains and sprains.
2. Higher Level of Support and Protection: Hinged Knee Braces
It is a good knee brace for football players that contains one or two hinges, keeping the knee stabilized. These braces are versatile and offer the highest levels of support for football players. Using these, players can still move the knee in different motions. Hinged knee braces are the go-to for various injuries, including ligament strain, post-surgery, etc.
3. Minor Discomfort or Need for Extra Warmth: Neoprene Knee Support Brace
These football knee braces for linemen provide compression, support, and warmth. This helps improve the flood flow through the area and reduce swelling. Moreover, the presence of flexible material supports the knee joint without restricting movement.
4. Specific Areas of Compression or Support: Knee Straps/Bands
Knee straps are also called patellar straps that usually go between the bottom of the kneecap and above the shin. This type of football player knee brace helps take the stress off the tendon, helping in relieving the pain.
Fivali's Hot-selling American Football Knee Brace
When it comes to the best American football knee brace, nothing can beat Fivali Compression Football Knee Sleeves FKR05. It is equipped with all the right features to prevent injuries when playing soccer. The presence of a silicone pad helps in shock absorption, while a comfortable fabric makes it stretchable and breathable. It has soft springs that support the knee joint perfectly. And the best part? These football knee braces are non-slip silicone that increases friction and prevents dislodging during exercise.
Conclusion
As popular as soccer is around the world, so is the risk of injury when playing this game. Children, teenagers, adults, and elderly, hence people from all age groups and genders enjoy this sport. However, considering the high risk of injuries, football knee braces should be considered an essential protective equipment and it should be given due importance.
For an effective road to recovery and preventing injuries, you need to choose the right football knee braces. Most of all, a well-fitted Fivali knee brace offers comfort and allows for intense play without discomfort.
Reference:
- Soccer Positions. Available at: https://www.ssl-nc.com/soccer-positions (Accessed: 28 May 2024)