Powerlifting is a highly competitive sport that requires immense strength, coordination and focus to perform well. Due to the amount of weight lifted in powerlifting, you will need to take proper precautions to protect your joints from injury. Your knees serve as your base support during a lift and therefore are susceptible to a higher injury risk. Knee braces add support to these joints.
What to Look For
When choosing the type of knee brace to purchase prior to powerlifting, you should look for specific support features within the brace. These features include added support for the various ligaments in your knee that will be at greatest risk for potential injury during a powerlift. Your main knee ligaments include your medial-collateral ligament, anterior cruciate ligament, and your posterior cruciate ligament. The brace you purchase should address all three areas of your knee.
Types
Two main types of knee braces are available: neoprene sleeves or hardened-plastic harnesses. Braces comprised of steel and hardened plastic harnesses provide increased joint support and can prevent your knee from slipping or shearing, which would otherwise cause injury to one of your main ligaments. The neoprene sleeve option provides significantly less support to the joint and should therefore only be used in activities less strenuous than weightlighting, such as running, jogging and biking.
Considerations
Knee braces that include stabilization bars or brackets on either side of your knee can assist in limiting the amount of side-to-side lateral laxity your knee joint could experience during a powerlift. In addition, a proper knee brace should also include anterior-posterior shear support as to protect your ACL and PCL. Numerous brands offer well-made knee braces to serve this purpose. As such, comfort is the most critical component to consider when choosing a brace.
Misconceptions
Since many different brace manufacturers offer similar products for powerlifting, no single knee brace is considered more protective than any other brace. As long as you find a brace with the proper support features included in its design, you should have a sufficient level of support for your powerlifting needs. For more information on the proper knee brace to use for this sport, speak to your doctor or a licensed fitness expert.
