- Sore knees... (please help me)

[Iceman]

Hey guys,


I'd like to get some help with the following:
Since a few months I'm trying to learn the boxersplits (through a legspreader).
I'm advancing quite nicely (currently I'm on a 145 degrees after 3,5 months).

But since 2 I started to get really sore knees (I ONLY have it while training my boxersplits).

- Can you tell me if there are any exercises which helps to calm down my knees a bit?? These exercises should be performed BEFORE my splits-training of course (because when I'm NOT training I don't have this pain).


Thanks...

[Webmaster]

Richard, I deleted your duplicate post in the Martial Arts Training forum. Just one post in the proper forum, and I can say that this is probably the right one.

Now, down to the business of your post. Ouch! :eek: When you mention a "leg spreader" I assume you mean one of the commercial types? If so, which one? My assumption would be that the speader is pushing on the lower part of your leg and that is causing stress to your knees. Basically, it is pushing the lower legs outward more than is it the entire leg, and is stretching that tendons/ligaments in the knee laterally. If that is the case, I would stop! Those tendons and ligaments are not suppose to stretch and you will lose stability in your knees or even seriously hurt yourself. A good stretching machine should stretch your legs outward above your knees. That way you are only stretching the parts that should be getting stretched and not stressing your knees.

Jason, you are the expert here, chime in please!

[Sochin]

I agree. Stop and change systems.

[Abbax8]

I'll let Jason give the medically oriented advice, I'll ask a question. Why is it necessary to do a 180 split? Are you able to kick head high currently? If so, will the split allow you to kick higher? At what cost? I know many MA like to do the full split, some on a chair. I just never equated that ability with fighting skill. Just my 2 cents.

Peace

Dennis

[jwinch2]

First of all, stop it...

Secondly, Robert, Dennis, and the rest are correct on this one. For one, there is no reason to perform splits in that manner that i can think of. As Dennis already mentioned if you can already kick as high as you need to, then there is no reason to try to stretch further and as Robert already mentioned, from the sound of where you are feeling pain, you are doing something incorrectly.

As for doing the "Boxer Split" as you called it... Doing the splits is not going to help your performance, it is not going to help you prevent injury, so my advice would be to leave it alone. There are a couple of other threads on similar topics on here where I have posted volumes of data which I encourage you to read if you are curious or if you just think I am full of crap. By the way, if you do I respect that, but bring data, cause I have plenty...

The bottom line is that there is no performance or health reason to be able to move through extremes in range of motion even for people who participate in martial arts. Muscular stiffness is a protective mechanism, meaning you are NOT supposed to go through extremes in range of motion easily. It is much easier for the body to recover from a muscle pull then it is a torn ligament or damaged cartilage.

I do encourage people to stretch, POST workout, and in a moderate fashion. Stretch to the point of slight discomfort, not pain. If you are experiencing any sort of chronic pain from a certain movement, then stop it! There is almost no movement that cannot be performed in an alternate manner if it is causing you difficulty. Put another way, there is more than one way to skin a cat.

Good luck!

Jason

[Iceman]

Well, I can allready kick at head-height...
But I need the splits, because I'm preparing my entrance in the XMA-scene (it's must there).

[TonyU]

Well then listen to what everyone, especially Jason, has to say.
Make sure that you are properly warmed up and then strech correctly and also add some leg strengthening exercises as well.

[jwinch2]

Well, I can allready kick at head-height...
But I need the splits, because I'm preparing my entrance in the XMA-scene (it's must there).

Do they do BJJ in the XMA scene?