I’ve been looking for a knee brace to periodically wear as a preventative measure because my knees are worn down from “jumping” (more like “falling out of a plane and hitting the ground”) from an aircraft in the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division.  I thought about getting the standard, black knee brace from Target or somewhere but I decided if this was going to be used as a preventative measure for years to come, I should try to get something a little more sophisticated.  I got Zeuba Vital knee support from Gaiam. I had never used any products from Gaiam before but read in the marketing pamphlets about their commitment to the environment and a free trade program that helps local artisans in lesser developed countries sell their goods.  That’s pretty cool.  I say “lesser developed” countries because I don’t consider Vietnam, Cambodia, or Indonesia 3rd World Countries.  So what are they then?  2nd World? What’s an example of a 2nd World Country?   Is the United States a 1st World Country?  Why do we only point out countries that are 3rd World?  So condescending.  Come on, One World, One Love.

Army Airborne jumpers are taught to put their feet and knees together, try to gauge which way the wind is taking them, and to “roll” with their impact.  Depending on weather conditions, about 4% of soldiers get hurt on every jump (this statistic is based merely on my experiences); breaking ankles, getting concussions, and snapping knees.  Even if you don’t get a serious injury, these landings take a toll on your body.  Add that with all of the times I had to “get down” or “take a knee.”  Try doing that for an hour or two on a concrete sidewalk.  Go ahead and stand up a minute and stretch if you need to.  It only gives the enemy a bigger target.  No big deal.  Why can’t bad guys in Iraq fight in the soft desert sand?  So selfish.  Only thinking about themselves.

I’m not complaining though, I just don’t want my knees to get in the way of me running for many years to come.  There are plenty of knee braces out there where, “You’re wondering who i am-machine or mannequin, With parts made in japan…Domo arigato, mr. roboto, domo…domo.”  Alright Kilroy, you don’t have to worry about being a robot with the Gaiam Zeuba Vital knee support.   The reason I like this knee brace is that it is comfortable while also providing the support I need.  It is lightweight, breathable, and allows for circulation in my legs.  It really didn’t take anything away from my normal running style, improved it if anything.  I barely knew the brace was on!

As soon as I started running I could feel the difference between my knee with the brace on and the non-braced knee.  I honestly didn’t know how much my knees actually hurt until comparing while running.  This is a great knee brace because of the innovative athletic, visco-elastic massage ring that stabilizes and activates muscles.  The ring is a gel-like substance which really kepts my knee from shifting while allowing a little room for flexiblility.  There is also an adjustable Turbo-Strap that “exerts pressure on thigh to improve coordination for running.”  If you need help with your coordination while running I don’t think this knee brace is your answer.  Consult a doctor or drink a V8.  I did like using the Turbo-Strap to keep the brace tight around my thigh.  I didn’t have any problems with it sliding down!  Amazing.  I sweat a lot and often become slippery…when wet.

So if you want to prevent injuries before they get too serious.  Then be Serious about your Running and check out this knee brace.

We all know running is plain, old healthy living; but it can also eventually take a toll on your body.  No matter how young or lightweight you are, everyone needs to be cautious of putting too much strain on their muscles, joints, and ligaments when running serious mileage.  One of the injuries that arises from running long distances is impact on the knees.  After jumping over 30 times out of a fast moving aircraft, flying less than 1000 ft from the ground, loaded with gear that matches my body weight, I have to be careful about the further impacts I put on my knees.  Here is what I have learned.

First line of defense is prevention.  As soon as you feel any pain in your knees you should begin to alter your running.  Some prevention methods are buying running shoes with more cushioning, running routes that do not have as much downhill, or changing the surface that you run on.  Get off the pavement and on the trail! To keep your knees pain free after runs, many people choose to place ice on them.  It helps the pain plus you look like an aging but still high preforming athlete!  At least that is what movies have shown.

If you have had sharp pains in your knees for a while now then these preventive techniques won’t work for you; luckily, you don’t have to stop running all together.  First, try to understand what is exactly wrong with your knees. The easiest way to identify this is to identify where the sharp pain is exactly.  If you are not sure, consult a doctor for more specific knowledge and possible testing.  After you identify where the problem is you need to search for the knee brace that is best for your injury.  Knee braces are a great way to reduce stress and impact on your muscles and ligaments while allowing you to still run close to your pre-knee injury abilities.  Knee braces are made to keep your knee and knee cap aligned and come in bulky, flexible, or sturdy models.  Everyone’s knees are different so either consult a doctor or try out different knee braces before deciding on which one is best for your knees.

So relieve some mental stress and get back on your knees!