Stable Knees

As Aram posted on Tuesday, knee stability is linked to hip/glute strength. When discussing joint stability it is important to go upstream (hips) and down stream (ankles). We talked about ankle stability here and here.

However, if you have worked through all of these exercises, next-there is nothing like good old fashioned walking! The knee is a hinge joint. It only moves in two directions-open and closed or flexion and extension. The most reps of flexion and extension can happen in the least amount of time with walking or running. Running is more high impact, meaning the foot falls on the pavement reverberate up to the knee. So, if high impact is not for you, then walking can do the trick to strengthen the ligaments, tendons, and muscles around the knee to keep it stable for life. 

Think of walking like lubricating the hinge joint in a door. If you have a squeaky door, you put lubricant on there and open/close, open/close, over and over to work it through. Walking does the same thing for your knees. Hydrate and eat well so the movement of open/close, open/close the knee can work the good nutrients and water through the joint to keep it moist, nourished, and lubricated.

Healthy knees=walking!

Need more motivation to walk? Join MoveWell Rewards and get rewarded for taking steps at 6000 or more!