Football is a high-level sport that requires a lot of effort and dedication. It promotes the well-being of the body and mind. Due to the high demands, it is normal for athletes to get injured and leave the field until they have fully recovered. Many of these accidents can be avoided by using knee braces suitable for this type of activity.
In this article you will find a detailed analysis of the best compression knee sleeves for football, this is an important topic that will help you in choosing the one that best suits your needs, if you want to know more, keep reading.
What is the best knee brace for football 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-XXL
- Colours: 5 Options
- Material: Spandex
- No. of Products: Single
- Type: Closed with silicone pad
- Variety of colours
- Good compression
- Quick and easy to use
- Hight Quality
- No small sizes
- Delicate wash
The Kuangmi elastic support offers three versions with corrugated straps that will prevent stress on the joint and, by means of the material and ergonomic design, all-day comfort is guaranteed. The different sizes, available for men and women, offer just the right amount of compression on the soft tissues of the knee. Please note that the knee brace is not recommended for people prone to skin rashes.
- 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: 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: One size fits all
- Colours: Blue
- Material: Elastic rubber
- No. of products: Single
- Type: Closed with silicone pad
- Good fit
- Hight Quality
- No material specified
The one-size-fits-all size offers a hook-and-loop closure strap to more efficiently adjust the joint and maintain alignment with the femur. It's ideal for carrying around and can be worn during the summer and under clothing to stimulate blood circulation. Itching and rashes may be common in people with skin sensitivities, so this product is not recommended for them.
- Sizes: One size fits all
- Colours: Black
- Material: Neoprene
- Nº of products: Single
- Type: Velcro strap
- Lightweight design
- Good compression
- Quality stitching
- Adjustable Velcro strap
- One size fits all
- delicate wash
Its unisex design features a one-size-fits-all fit that conforms anatomically to the knee via a Velcro fastener. It is ideal for runners and its internal padding offers greater comfort, without losing efficiency in the compression and adjustment of the joint. Its fabric is breathable, but in some cases the odour does not disappear after washing.
Video: Knee joint anatomy
Types of knee braces you should know about
What are the most common knee injuries in football?
Injuries are usually caused by poorly executed movements and collisions between players. Knees, ankles and head are the most common body parts affected. The most common injuries include the following:
ACL injury
The anterior cruciate ligament is one of the most important muscles of the knee. It can be injured during football practice due to jumps, sudden stops, changes in direction, and other movements that affect the knee ligaments.
For a football player, this is really bad, depending on the case, you can miss a whole season. The first thing you will notice is the imbalance of the body, the swollen knee, the difficulty to hold your weight, and of course the pain. Depending on the severity, minor surgery and rehabilitation may be required until full recovery.
Whether you are a professional or recreational athlete, it is important to warm up, use protective equipment and supplies, and incorporate massage into your training exercises to prevent or reduce ACL injuries.
Meniscus tear
The meniscus is made of cartilage and is C-shaped. It acts as a bearing between the tibia and femur, facilitating knee movement and preventing wear and tear from bone friction. You often hear about meniscus injuries, especially in sports like football, where you have to twist or turn quickly and sometimes shift all your weight onto one leg.
For a professional football player, this can mean missing most or all of the season. In either case, it is advisable to get complete rest, ice, and take any medications prescribed by your doctor in order to heal quickly and resume athletic activities.
MCL injury
The medial collateral ligament connects the femur to the tibia. Its function is of utmost importance as it prevents the knee from moving laterally. The injury is due to dislocation, which can be partial or complete. The symptoms are pain, swelling and instability.
In football, it is caused by quick changes of direction, which are very common in this sport, to avoid the opposing player. Other causes can be twisting of the knee while running because you don't have good control of the knee while focusing on the ball. Also possible, but rare, is a hard blow to the side of the joint that causes an injury to the medial collateral ligament.
Patellar tendonitis
This is one of the most common complaints in athletes. It is an overuse injury that inflames the patellar tendon, a tissue that connects the kneecap to the tibia. At first glance, it does not appear to be a serious injury, so sufferers continue with their daily routine, but it is a condition that, if left untreated, worsens over time until surgery is required.
Since football is a very strenuous sport that requires daily physical training and play on the field, it is normal for patellar tendonitis to develop due to overuse of the knee. In addition, one of the main causes of this injury is running, an activity that the football player must perform frequently.
Buying guide: Tips on how to buy the best knee brace for football
Knee braces are very useful in treating injuries, relieving pain, discomfort, strains or other problems. Each of them serves a specific purpose, and you should buy it depending on your case. Before choosing the best sports knee brace for playing football, you need to know the material, the size of the product and more to make the right choice.
Depending on the function
This compression garment is a great alternative to fulfill 100% activities; you can use it both inside and outside the field. In general, they are designed to relieve pain, strain, discomfort and discomfort in the knee. Before buying, it is advisable to consult your trainer so that he can help you choose.
You can use it for:
- Knee supports for healing injuries: One of their many functions is the treatment of injuries, thanks to the compression, stability and good temperature they provide to the knee, they accelerate the healing process, as the muscles and the entire joint are in constant rest thanks to the support provided by the knee brace or sports band.
- Knee braces for pain relief: pain is common among football players, whether it is due to overuse, injury, overtraining or any other reason that leads to this discomfort that affects a good performance on the field. The compression therapy that the garment provides significantly reduces these symptoms.
- Knee supports: you can play football with the confidence that your knees are always protected thanks to the compression garment. The material prevents direct impacts and, thanks to its stability, ensures a relaxed state of the joint, so that sudden movements can not affect it.
- Open knee braces: Leave the kneecap unprotected, but provide it with the necessary support in case of injury, as the garment does all the mobilization work. It is not popular with many athletes because it does not completely cover the joint.
- Closed knee braces: They cover the knee completely, protecting more areas of the knee. This is the favorite of most buyers for this purpose. Perfectly protects the smallest or minimal area of the knee joint. It stabilizes, supports and helps, it is definitely a good choice.
Material
If you want to practice your sports activities to the fullest, you should definitely buy a knee brace:
- Absorbent fabric: it is made of a very thin and resistant fabric, able to absorb large amounts of fluid without deforming or deteriorating. It is comfortable and offers complete freedom of movement without causing injury. It is an essential material for the production of the sports knee brace
- Silicone padding: an internal padding made of quality silicone that provides stiffness, comfort and protection against impact. It is an additional accessory added by some manufacturers to many sports knee braces. It is mainly used in sports like football, basketball and other extreme sports that require protection and comfort.
Type of support
Depending on the taste or need of the athlete, there are different types of fasteners to add strength to the knee brace. Some fastening systems are bi-directional, which makes it easier to fasten the device at any angle.
- Velcro knee brace: Velcro knee braces play an important role in sports knee braces. Many manufacturers use them because of their quality and durability. Among the advantages of this device is that the pressure on the knee can be adjusted in any direction without the risk of it coming off.
- Knee brace with non-slip silicone: this elastic material perfectly adapts to the shape of the knee and prevents slipping during any sports activity. It is not only non-slip, but also keeps the joints warm and improves blood circulation. It is ideal for preventing injuries during sports activities.
- Neoprene knee brace: It is an insulating, resistant, elastic and protective material. It can be bent in different ways without breaking or losing its original structure, it is comfortable and allows freedom of movement without risk of injury. These are some of the reasons why manufacturers use it for their knee supports.
Size
It is important to be aware of the size used by the player, as choosing the right size will make the use of the knee brace comfortable and safe. It should be noted that these products are measured with a tape measure, which allows for a more accurate determination of the correct size. The results should be compared with the chart provided by the manufacturer.
Design
In general, they have a practical design, depending on the case for which they are used, sporty and updated according to the taste of the athlete. Nowadays there are knee braces with textures in the fabric and other materials used, a detail that many people like.
The current market has expanded its repertoire of products with intense, unusual colors, and thanks to this change, sales have increased significantly. People are looking not only for a garment that meets their needs, but also for a product that stands out for its texture and colors.
Price
If you want a knee brace that will protect the joint or help with injury recovery, you should know the manufacturing materials so that the brace will achieve the desired results. If you make a comparison, you will find that its cost is higher than other garments that do not offer any benefits other than a slight compression.
Compression sports knee sleeves are currently the most effective and high-quality products. This is also reflected in their prices, as they do not estimate the cost, but are based solely on the stability and protection that the knee needs to perform the services for which it was purchased.
Are compression knee sleeves for football really effective?
For most football players, this is an essential product on and off the field. It is used to treat knee injuries and other ailments, and has attracted the attention of many people since its launch due to its effectiveness. Its use in athletes is based on the recommendation of professionals and coaches who confirm its effectiveness.
This garment provides compression in the knee area, which keeps the joints warm, promotes blood circulation and improves performance in physical activities and sports. In short, they work. Today it has become an indispensable product for maintaining the health of the knees, so heavily used by professionals of this discipline, who are aware of the risk they expose themselves to if they do not cover and protect the joint.