Taekwondo Kicks+Injury?

[xxducati998xx]

i've studied taekwondo for about a year, and i sometimes feel a pain in my knees after stretching or when doing kicks, also it manifests itself in my thigh after sidekicks occassionally? wtf is it? how can i make it go away?

[Kicks]

Possibly over stretching the knees. Don't stretch through the pain, and DO NOT bounce when you stretch.

 

Age. Legiments and stuff in there start to hurt a lot more after age 35.

 

Hyperextension: Don't hyperextend your kicks. Don't do spinning kicks on a heavy bag; that will hyperextend the knee. Don't kick with ankle weights on.

 

Your thigh issue might just be latic acid buildup. Stretch during your workout as well as after the workout.

Edited January 26, 2005 by Kicks

[tufrthanu]

You may also have weak knees...try doing some light resistance training to build up the support muscles for the knees.

[PrideampPoise]

Another tip, especially when kicking air... Try to hold your kick for a split second when you extend it. In other words, don't "snap" the kick. Snapping puts pressure on the joints and can lead to problems.

[karatekid1975]

Kicks had good advice. I been there, so don't do it. It HURTS (kicking heavy bag wrong .... I have a bad knee now).

[ninjanurse]

Alas...back in the good old days we thought kicking the heavy bag for hours was the only way to train. Now we all have arthritis in our hips and knees and eat ibuprofen like candy! Listen to the advice given here young Grasshopper....be kind to your legs now or you will pay later!!

 

Dynamic stretching is the key to strengthening and lengthening the muscles, ligaments, and tendons used in kicking. There are several good articles on the internet about this that are well worth the time to read.

 

[JaseP]

Also, you have to watch the supporting leg as well. If you tend to straighten your supporting leg too much, you will actually cause hyperextention injuries to the knee joint.

 

One of the best exercises for developing powerful and well executed kicks is to utilize "slow kicks". Practice your kicks for proper form and extend and hold the kick at full extention for an increasing amount of time. Gradually raise the level of the kick and the length of time holding it. Eventually you may wish to add ankle weights. However, do not use ankle weights in full speed kicks!!!

[kchenault]

I've kicked the heavy bag before and never had a problem. Try doing Hindu squats to strengthen the hips and knees. It works.

[CloudDragon]

Do you warm up before stretching? If so, what do you do to warm up?

[SBN Doug]

Moved to Health & Fitness