Volleyball is a very popular game played by two teams of 6 players each, competing in a sports hall or on sand in the sun. It requires great agility and endurance, and because of the high demands, many participants get injured and have to leave the court.
In this article, you will find interesting information that will clear your doubts about sports knee braces and show you why they are the best means of preventing and treating volleyball injuries in this joint. You will also learn about the types of injuries, their characteristics and whether they really work.
What is the best knee brace for volleyball 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: Black
- Material: Neoprene
- Number of Products: 2
- Type: Open
- Breathable design
- Durable material
- Adjustable velcro straps
- Good compression
- One size only
- Voluminous
Its design incorporates two bands that act as lateral stabilisers and a gel pad to keep the kneecap in place. It is designed in breathable neoprene material that absorbs sweat and keeps the skin free of moisture. You can use it without any problems when running, every time you train or in case you need to recover from an injury. In some people, the item is not suitable for users who suffer from compression tingling.
- 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.
- 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: Black
- Material: Neoprene
- Nº of products: Single
- Type: Open
- Breathable design
- Good compression
- Not machine washable
Its ergonomic structure adjusts to any knee, so men or women can use this patellar compressor without any problems. The one-size-fits-all design provides lighter support and improves blood circulation, preventing meniscus and patellar inflammation. The triple velcro strap provides better compression during sport, but the adjustment system may decrease over time, losing comfort during use.
- Sizes: One size fits all
- Colours: Black
- Material: Breathable
- No. of Products: Single
- Type: Open with buckle and velcro closure
- Suitable for everyone
- Adjustable mobility
- Material not specified
Its one-size-fits-all design offers the perfect post-operative stability for gradual mobility. Within its structure it is possible to use the angle regulator so that you can choose the knee width according to your needs. To do this, you must adjust the 4 velcro protectors to prevent displacement and obtain the right compression. Please note that its ergonomic design may be uncomfortable for some users.
Video: Knee joint anatomy
Types of knee braces you should know about
What are the most common knee injuries in volleyball?
Volleyball is a game of repetitive motion that demands the maximum from each participant. The knees are the parts of the body most affected by injuries, as they are subjected to a lot of stress in various places and sooner or later problems occur.
The most common injuries in this sport are the following:
Meniscus injury
The meniscus is an organic part that is mainly composed of fibrocartilage. Its function is to absorb sudden impacts, maintain balance in the event of unexpected twisting, and cushion movement. In order to perform its functions, it must be perfectly lubricated, which is ensured by the synovial fluid.
In volleyball, the meniscus of the knee bears the weight, tension, overuse, jumps, repetitive motions and sharp twists that lead to injuries that can have long-term effects. The first thing you notice when this happens is swelling of the affected part, stiffness, pain, difficulty performing movements and possible locking of the affected limb.
Sprain
Sudden and repetitive movements of the knee can stretch ligaments or tendons, which in turn can affect the meniscus fibrocartilage in the knee joint and other muscles. The first thing you will notice is severe pain when walking or touching the knee, instability and the inability to put your weight on the affected limb.
If the sprain is mild, you can try to heal it yourself at home by elevating the affected limb, applying ice, compressing and relieving the pain. In severe cases, surgery and therapy may be needed to fully heal the affected muscle.
Knee ligament injury
The ligaments in the knee support your weight. There are both medial and lateral ligaments that are susceptible to injury during extreme physical stress, which is common in volleyball. This happens when you jump to block balls or change direction. You notice the injury when you feel an imbalance, your knee swells, you have difficulty holding your own weight, and you have excessive pain that doesn't allow you to move.
Maybe it is just a mild injury, but if it is more complicated, you will need surgery and after rehabilitation therapy, wearing a knee brace is recommended to speed up the healing process. You may miss the whole season, but it will be for your health and well-being
Soft tissue injury
Soft tissue is tissue without bone. This type of tissue can also be injured, such as the cartilage that lines the bones in knee joints and is essential for balancing body weight and allowing movement.
There are many reasons for injury to this joint, mainly due to excess weight, followed by repeated jerky movements and sudden twisting. In some cases, the injury is mild and can be treated comfortably at home by elevating the leg and applying ice.
Buying guide: Tips on how to buy the best knee brace for volleyball
The best sports knee brace for volleyball is the one that fulfills its role according to the case, they are widely used in therapies and injuries, they help you to significantly reduce pain, tension, stress and other specific discomfort.
According to the function
The function of the knee brace is very simple: it relieves pain, stress, treats injuries and all other ailments on and off the sports field. It can protect you from impacts and keep your muscles and joints warm, so you can perform your activities 100% injury-free. In short, this is a must-have for every volleyball player.
Here we explain some of them:
- Knee braces for pain relief: Are the preferred choice of sports and health professionals to treat and significantly reduce muscle pain. If you are experiencing pain that is preventing you from performing your normal activities, you should contact your doctor immediately so they can review your condition and tell you what steps you need to take to get better; a sports knee brace is usually recommended.
- Postoperative knee supports: Some knee braces are intended for use only after surgery, when rehabilitation therapy begins. It is important that they are purchased under a doctor's supervision or the situation could worsen.
- Knee supports for impact protection: Are made of silicone, they are comfortable and flexible, they are strategically placed to protect against any impact, and the best thing is that they do not restrict the mobility of the athlete.
- Knee braces to improve athletic performance: some knee braces exert uniform compression in specific areas, helping to reduce tension, pain and other discomfort in the affected muscles and ligaments so you can give 100% in any athletic performance.
- Open knee braces: They have a unique design with an opening that allows air to the kneecap, and are commonly used for kneecap injuries, osteoarthritis, and other related problems, depending on the case in which their use helps avoid surgery.
- Closed knee braces: as the name suggests, they are closed knee sleeves made of elastic material that retain heat and improve blood circulation. They are widely used in sports because they cover a larger part of the knee joint and are therefore safer to wear.
Material
Knee supports for volleyball differ from other sports in their manufacturing process. In this case, you need a product that provides mobility and protection of muscles and tissues from impact and injury. Many versions of these accessories for this discipline are made of neoprene, non-slip silicone, alloys, Velcro, silicone gel packs and other materials, depending on the use and decision of each manufacturer. Among the most commonly used fibers are spandex, rubber and nylon due to their exceptional properties of elasticity, resistance, moisture absorption, lightness and comfort.
Type of support
It is important that you feel comfortable in the garment you will be wearing during training and games. Even though the compression knee braces have a firm grip on your body, it is possible for them to fall off or shift slightly.
- Velcro: This is a very practical and easy to use two-way closure system. It is often used in volleyball as it puts pressure on the affected muscle without deforming it, while providing the necessary support to prevent it from moving.
- Non-slip silicone: it is a very elastic element that can be easily deformed without being damaged. For this reason, it fits perfectly to the knee and keeps it stable in the same place.
- Neoprene: This material is used in the manufacture of knee braces, among others, because it adheres or remains firm in the joint. It is light and comfortable, very useful and safe for training, but for games it is preferable to those recommended above.
Size
Before buying any product, it is important to know the size of knee brace you need to feel comfortable and safe. The sports knee sleeves that you can find in the market range from size XS to XXL and you can customize them according to your needs, if you already know how to measure then you can buy with confidence.
Design
When you go to a sports event, you can see a variety of products with excellent designs and colors, it's like a sports podium where the best knee braces compete. For this reason, manufacturers offer their audience not only a quality product that protects against blows and injuries and improves mobility in the execution of movements and performance in sports, but also a beautiful and elegant product with excellent color combinations. The above products meet all these requirements, namely protection, comfort and beauty.
Price
The cost of these sporting goods depends on the technology, materials, design and manufacturing. It is not advisable to buy very cheap knee braces, because they are usually of poor quality and in the long run can do more harm than good. When it comes to health products and equipment, it is better to invest a little more money to buy a quality product.
Do compression knee sleeves for volleyball really work?
Volleyball compression knee sleeves work perfectly. For years now, research and study has been done on different materials and new alloys to find the perfect balance for the best products on the market.
Not only are they the preferred apparel of athletes for aesthetic reasons, but their protection goes far beyond a padded design. The compression therapy it exerts on the knee helps improve blood circulation, preventing serious conditions such as edema or venous insufficiency. So, apart from the aesthetic aspects, it is an indispensable factor for our health well-being.
So don't think too much and buy your volleyball knee brace with confidence, because it will not only help you perform better or recover faster, but you will also be able to avoid delicate ailments and secure your condition and lifestyle.