- What is the best knee brace for boxing injuries?
- Video: Knee joint anatomy
- Types of knee braces you should know about
- What are the most common knee injuries in boxing and contact sports?
- Buying guide: Tips on how to buy the best knee brace for boxing
- Are compression knee sleeves for boxing and martial arts really effective?
The knee is the largest and most complex joint of the body, which should support the whole body. During physical activity, you may experience pain and feel that your joints are unstable. If you protect your joints with the right equipment, you can save yourself trouble.
For an athlete, a physical injury means the complete end of their favorite sport. Every athlete knows the uncomfortable pain in the knees caused by the pressure of the body and the various movements. The best way to avoid injuries during training is to protect your joints with knee braces.
What is the best knee brace for boxing injuries?
- Sizes: S-M-L-XL
- Colors: Green, Pink and Grey
- Material: Breathable
- Nº of Products: 2 pieces
- Uses: Rehabilitation and sport
- Elastic Fabric
- Double Anti-Slip Silicone
- Ergonomic & Adjustable
- Sport Design
- Unisex
Double Anti-Slip Silicone
Various Colours and Sizes
Stretch Fabric
- Sizes: M-L-XL
- Colours: 3 Options: Grey, Blue, Green
- Material: Polyester
- No. of Products: Single
- Type: Closed with silicone padding
- Variety of colours
- Good compression
- Breathable design
- Gel Pack
- No small sizes
- Delicate wash
The kneecap will stay in place thanks to the 360° compression offered by this sports garment and the gel pack will reinforce the soft tissue from any blows. Its different sizes will allow you to lead a healthy life and increase comfort, avoiding slippage of the compression garment when you wear it in training or at home. It is important to consider that the protector is not useful if the user does not support joint stiffness.
- Sizes: S-M-L-XL-XXL
- Colours: 2 Options: Blue, Grey
- Material: Neoprene
- No. of Products: Single
- Type: Closed with silicone pad
- Variety of sizes
- Gel Pack
- Not machine washable
The patellar protector has a unisex design with fabrics that adapt anatomically to any knee. Importantly, its soft material generates the necessary pressure, along with the patella-protecting silicone, to keep the joint stable and prevent injury. Please note that the support is not viable for use in people who are allergic to the materials with which the knee brace is made.
- Sizes: Size 0 - 7
- Colours: Grey and Blue
- Material: Cotton, Elastane, Polyester
- No. of Products: Single
- Type: Closed
- Breathable fabric
- Machine washable
- Omega Pad
- Strong compression
- Only one per order
- Difficulty in choosing sizes
The knee sleeve, with specially designed front silicone protector, generates increased blood supply and massages strategic points of the kneecap. This structure increases heat in the area, providing therapeutic benefits to the user. Lateral supports provide greater stability without restricting joint movement. In some products, the compression is not sufficient according to the user's expectations.
- Sizes: S/M, L/XL, XXL
- Colours: 2 Options: Black, Green
- Material: Neoprene
- No. of Products: Single
- Type: Closed
- Good fit
- Strong compression
- Not machine washable
The technology used in the manufacture allows the neoprene material to achieve a better and faster recovery from knee injuries or post-surgical stages. It can also be used by patients with arthritis or joint wear. The different sizes, for men and women, offer a mesh back ventilation that decreases moisture build-up. Be careful because the pain may not go away if you don't choose the right size knee brace.
- Sizes: One size fits all
- Colours: Black
- Material: Spandex
- No. of Products: 2
- Type: Closed
- Breathable design
- Good compression
- Hight Quality
- 2 Per order
- One size only
- Delicate wash
The side supports and double silicone loops make this compressive garment support and stabilise the knee during use. Ideal for summer use when volleyball, fitness or lifting heavy objects at work. Stimulates blood circulation just by wearing it for a few hours a day. Please note that this item is not useful in cases where the injury is advanced.
- Sizes: One size fits all
- Colours: Grey and Black
- Material: Breathable
- Nº of Products: 2
- Type: Closed
- Discreet design
- 2 per order
- No material specified
The ergonomic design reduces pressure on the knee and improves joint stability. Thanks to the anti-slip silicone material, located in strategic areas in the support, the elastic knee brace does not slip during use. It is made of a 3D technology fabric, which makes it a lightweight and easy to carry ligament protector. Please note that the knee brace is not recommended for people who suffer from itching.
- Sizes: S-M-L
- Colours: Blue and Black
- Material: Breathable
- No. of Products: Single
- Type: Closed with Elastic Band
- Strong compression
- Elastic Band for better fit
- No material specified
The elastic band prevents meniscus injuries and inflammation in the bursae thanks to its unique anti-slip system. It is recommended by top Olympic athletes, as the compression it exerts on the strategic places behind the knee is continuous and guarantees the highest quality standards. If you don't choose the right size, it is likely that the fitting system will not be efficient.
- Sizes: One size fits all
- Colours: Black
- Material: Polyester
- No. of Products: Single
- Type: Open with adjustable straps
- Anti-slip silicone
- Good compression
- 3 straps for better fit
- Breathable design
- Voluminous
- One size only
Fitting is very simple and you don't need another person to position the protective pad in front of the kneecap. The adjustable size allows the 4 lateral stabilisers to maintain proper joint alignment during use. To prevent soft tissue damage from overloading, it should be worn for as long as possible. It is suitable for use by patients with arthritis or after surgery. It is important to note that the support is not recommended for users with skin wounds.
Video: Knee joint anatomy
Types of knee braces you should know about
What are the most common knee injuries in boxing and contact sports?
Knee injuries are undoubtedly the most common headaches among athletes. They affect cyclists, soccer players, boxers and contact athletes. The latter are more prone to knee injuries due to the different movements and postures that stress the joints, although this can also happen to sedentary people when they perform a sudden movement. Changes in this area, if not prevented in time, can lead to damage to the meniscus and ligaments of the knee.
The most common knee injuries in contact sports are:
Meniscus injuries
There are two menisci (fibrous tissue or crescent-shaped discs) in each knee that act as a cushion between the femur and tibia, absorbing pressure from the body's weight. The injury occurs when the knee is rotated beyond its natural limits and the joint is damaged.
As people who play contact sports increase their training load, the risk of soft tissue problems increases. In boxing, poor posture when punching or improper rotation of the knee can lead to knee injury. This type of injury is common in contact sports where there is damage to the tissue and a degenerative process that weakens the area and promotes its rupture. Symptoms include pain, bruising and sometimes locking of the knee.
Sprain
A knee sprain or medial collateral ligament is the alteration of a group of sutures involved in the composition of the tissue, located in the inner part of the knee that connects the femur and tibia. This injury occurs due to excessive stress on the ligament, which leads to a tear.
Immediately after the injury, the contact athlete is usually still able to continue training or physical activity while leaning on the affected leg. However, at the time of the incident, he feels pain in the inner part of the knee, and after physical activity, he feels that the knee "wobbles" when walking and does not allow balance.
Sprains can limit the athlete's physical activities for a long period of time, depending on the degree of damage (mild or severe). In the most severe cases, surgery may be required to restore the ligaments.
Patellar tendonitis
Patellar tendonitis is a condition that causes inflammation or irritation of the tendon that connects the kneecap to the tibia, resulting in pain during and after activity. This rupture requires surgical intervention if severe.
This tissue, along with the quadriceps, allows the knee to move and extend. The cord-like fibers work together to perform movements such as kicking, running and jumping. This injury is therefore more common in sports such as boxing, tennis, soccer, basketball and karate.
In contact sports, frequent and repetitive movements of the same action can lead to this injury. Over time, the pain worsens and begins to interfere with physical activity. To prevent patellar tendonitis, it is best to take good care of yourself.
Bursitis
Knee bursitis is an inflammation of a small fluid-filled bursa near the knee joint that reduces friction on the joint. Contact sports without a sports knee brace increase the risk of bursitis. A hard blow to the area can quickly lead to this type of injury, causing severe pain and limiting the athlete's mobility.
Once this damage has occurred inside the joint, it often becomes inflamed, leaving the individual unable to move. In order to avoid knee bursitis or prevent its recurrence and not jeopardize health, it is important to protect the joints.
Patellar luxation
This injury occurs when the kneecap is dislocated after a hard blow to the joint or by sudden movements. This can occur in contact sports, as the mobility of the knee can cause dislocation of the kneecap during violent rotations or direct impacts to the knee.
This is one of the most painful injuries, immobilizing the athlete immediately, and the change in direction and force applied to the leg puts the athlete at risk of fracture. This injury is more common in young athletes who practice karate and boxing, because the wrong movements affect the health of the joints.
Buying guide: Tips on how to buy the best knee brace for boxing
Before you choose a knee brace to protect your joints, you should ask yourself which knee brace is ideal for you. You need to consider the factors that influence your choice: Function, material, size, design and price. Everything matters when choosing knee braces for boxing, because they can be used to prevent injuries or as part of a treatment plan.
Depending on their function
- Knee braces for pain relief: as soon as you feel discomfort or burning in any part of your body, it is a sign that something is wrong. Knee pain can mean an immediate interruption of any sports activity, especially for boxers, since this joint is essential for performing these exercises. Sports knee sleeves are ideal to alleviate this type of discomfort, as they allow the ligaments to reach a state of rest so that no excessive movements can be performed.
- Knee compression sleeves: sudden or unexpected movements are part of everyday life in these disciplines. Therefore, it is important to be protected at all times, and no garment is better and more suitable for this purpose than knee braces. There are different materials, supports and even more coverage of the kneecap.
- Open knee brace: as the name suggests, they have an open front area to protect the kneecap. That means it's a support for the joint, so you don't have to strain as much to move it, and it greatly reduces the risk of injury.
- Closed knee brace: this is the most commonly used model, as it completely covers the kneecap and its surrounding area, keeping the joint in the correct position, providing more protection and safety during exercise, physical activities and other activities.
Material
An important feature that should not be ignored when choosing sports knee braces is the manufacturing material, which determines the degree of compression and effectiveness of the garment.
When it comes to materials, there are a variety of options, with nylon, spandex, rubber and neoprene among the most recommended. Neoprene is ideal for boxing athletes as it provides compression, heat retention and blood circulation. Optimal pressure reduces pain and inflammation.
Neoprene is not breathable. Therefore, its production is always associated with other materials that have these and other advantages. Therefore, it is combined with fibers such as nylon and spandex, which are not only moisture-wicking, but also strong, flexible, durable and of high quality.
Type of closure
The closures of the knee braces are designed to ensure safety and comfort. This accessory varies depending on the physical activity. Similarly, wrestlers or contact athletes, due to the forces and movements they exert on their joints, require clothing that provides maximum protection during training.
- Velcro knee bbrace: Allows for a precise fit around the joint and prevents the brace from moving incorrectly during exercise.
- Neoprene knee brace: This material adheres to the skin and makes it difficult for the garment to move.
- Knee supports: They provide overall stability to the joint and ensure good support.
Size
Choosing the right size knee brace for boxing is very important. It should fit well around the knee and not slip off. To determine the right size of compression suit, you need to measure the circumference of the knee with a flexible tape measure and with your leg upright to get the ideal size. Please note that you will need the help of another person to position your leg correctly during the measurement.
Design
Contact sports are the sports that have the most protection on the body by using knee supports, especially in their training area. However, this does not mean that their use is limited to internal factors, but it is also possible to achieve a unique, stylish look and even make a fashion statement.
There are custom made garments, so it will be very easy to choose the colors and patterns of your choice. In this way, not only will you feel safe every time you move in these risky sports, but you will also have a comfortable feeling while walking, which is very easy to convey.
Price
Just as there is a wide variety of designs and colors, there is also a wide variety of prices. Choosing the cheapest products means that they do not provide enough support for the muscles, as these are one of the most expensive but useful materials when using a knee brace. As with any other type of garment, the same applies here: The more expensive the product, the higher the quality. So, assess your needs and then choose the most desirable compression knee sleeves on the market today.
Are compression knee sleeves for boxing and martial arts really effective?
The knee is the central joint that is often subjected to the most stress in combat sports, whether it's from direct hits, falls or sharp turns. Therefore, wrestlers and boxers are prone to muscle strains or tears that affect the joint and lead to circulation problems.
Compression therapy helps reduce swelling and edema in the tissues by stimulating blood and lymph circulation. This improves blood transport from the extremities to the heart, allowing for rapid recovery and other blood-related problems.
Knee braces also provide adequate stability to the knee joint by keeping it in a resting state at all times, which is another factor that speeds up the healing of injuries as well as their prevention. The compression knee sleeves undoubtedly work in their entirety, covering all the areas that the contact athlete needs to develop a safe workout with free movements. Do sports, but do it wisely.