Football
Knee pain in football – causes, prevention & brace recommendations
Why knee pain happens in football and what really helps
Sprinting, changing direction, tackling, jumping, landing, shooting – football puts your knees under constant stress. Tendons, meniscus and ligaments are heavily strained. No surprise that knee injuries are among the most common in football, right after ankle problems. Here’s how to reduce your risk of knee pain and injury on the pitch.
Knee pain in football: causes and common injuries
In general, you need to distinguish whether pain is caused by external impact or by internal overload and imbalance.
External impact
Acute knee pain often results from tackles, awkward landings or sudden changes in direction. The most common injuries include:
Medial or lateral ligament strain: Pain on the inner or outer side of the knee, often combined with swelling.
Cruciate ligament injury: Usually caused by twisting during landings or turns. A snapping sound is often heard, followed by swelling and a feeling of instability.
Meniscus tear: Triggered by rotation under load, leading to sharp pain and a possible blockage. Contusion: Caused by contact or falls, with tenderness and possible bruising.
Patellar tip syndrome: Common in running and football. Pain occurs below the kneecap and worsens with jumps, sprints and quick direction changes.
The Sports Knee Support - the defensive boss for your knee
Our Sports Knee Support is like a good defence chief: with strong technique, power and endurance, it protects you from danger and ensures with its flexibility that you can be in control of the situation on the pitch even in stressful situations.
Thanks to its integrated pad, the knee support gently massages ligaments, tendons and connective tissue with every movement and strengthens the knee. Thanks to the anatomical fit and adhesive zones, it sits securely at all times without restricting your freedom of movement. The airy meshes of our 3D Airknit® knit guarantee breathability and optimal climate regulation.
Prevention: how to protect your knees in football
Strong, stable knees can better withstand stress, improve mobility and protect your joints. The best prevention combines neuromuscular warm-up, strength and coordination training, load management and the right equipment.1;2
Fight Knee Pain in Football
- Neuromuscular warm-up (e.g. FIFA 11+) The standardized program with jump, balance and core elements significantly reduces the overall injury rate in football according to studies.² ³
- Prioritize strength and stability Targeted hip and quadriceps training improves biomechanics and helps reduce overload and pain. Ideal: squat variations, calf raises, core stability.⁴
- Use a knee support as an additional measure A well-fitting sports knee brace improves stability and proprioception, giving extra confidence during dynamic play or when minor discomfort is present. The positive sensory and compressive effects are scientifically proven.⁵ ⁶
- Train stability and landing control Balance, jump and change-of-direction exercises – such as single-leg stands, slalom runs and hurdle jumps – improve joint control and help prevent non-contact knee injuries.² ⁷
- Don’t skip recovery Recovery is key: eat well, stay hydrated, get enough sleep and rest properly. Compression socks or braces can further support regeneration.
How Bauerfeind Sports knee supports help in football
Our knee braces and straps can help reduce pain, prevent injuries and improve stability in dynamic play. They support your movements and help absorb high loads more effectively.
Product comparison
Sports Knee Support – maximum support for training and matches
With its anatomically shaped Omega Pad, it helps prevent overuse pain – ideal for footballers returning to training after a knee injury.
Sports Compression Knee Support – moderate support for extra stability
The seamless compression knit fits snugly on the skin, improves movement perception and helps reduce the risk of injury.
Sports Knee Strap – targeted relief for the patellar tendon
The patella pad applies precise pressure below the kneecap to ease strain and relieve pain from overuse – ideal during training phases with lots of jumping and sprinting.
Unsere Knieprodukte für dich
List of sources
1Sitler, M. R., Ryan, J., Hopkinson, W., Wheeler, J., Santomier, J., Horodyski, M., ... & Polley, R. (1990). The efficacy of a prophylactic knee brace to reduce knee injuries in football: A prospective, randomized study at West Point. The American Journal of Sports Medicine, 18(3), 310–315.
2Steffen, K., Emery, C. A., Romiti, M., Kang, J., Bizzini, M., Dvorak, J., et al. (2013). High adherence to a neuromuscular injury prevention programme (FIFA 11+) improves functional balance and reduces injury risk in Canadian youth female football players: A cluster randomised trial. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 47(12), 794–802.
3Soligard, T., Myklebust, G., Steffen, K., Holme, I., Silvers, H., Bizzini, M., et al. (2008). Comprehensive warm-up programme to prevent injuries in young female footballers: Cluster randomised controlled trial. BMJ, 337, a2469.
4Sadigursky, D., Braid, J. A., de Lira, D. N. L., Machado, B. A. B., Carneiro, R. J. F., & Colavolpe, P. O. (2017). The FIFA 11+ injury prevention program for soccer players: A systematic review. BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation, 9, 18.
5Pietrosimone, B., Grindstaff, T. L., Linens, S. W., Uczekaj, E., & Hertel, J. (2008). A systematic review of prophylactic braces in the prevention of knee ligament injuries in collegiate football players. Journal of Athletic Training, 43(4), 409–415.
6Salata, M. J., Gibbs, A. E., & Sekiya, J. K. (2010). The effectiveness of prophylactic knee bracing in American football: A systematic review. Sports Health, 2(5), 375–379.
7Keshvari, B., Lehoang, L., & Senner, V. (2023). Investigating the effect of outsole configurations on rotational and translational traction using a mechanical prosthetic foot. Sports Engineering, 26, 43.