Standing is not without its potential complications and can result in fainting and subsequent injury if you lock your knees. A subconscious gesture, keeping the legs perfectly straight with the quadriceps muscles engaged is known as locking your knees. A fainting injury can occur to any individual who stands at attention for long periods of time. Learn to keep your knees loose and flexible, to avoid an embarrassing tumble from locked knees.
General Tips
Step 1
Get a physical exam. This will detect any underlying knee deformity or injury that may be a precursor to locking your knees. Also talk to your doctor if you frequently faint while standing, as your knees might not be the only problem.
Step 2
Stretch the muscles supporting your knees daily and before any physical endurance exercises, including standing for long periods of time. The hamstring and quadriceps are the supporting muscles for the knee.
Step 3
Complete daily hamstring and quadriceps exercises to strengthen these muscles. Squats and lunges work the muscles of your upper and lower legs, using your body weight for resistance. Strong supporting muscles may increase your knee control.
Step 4
Alternate your weight while standing. This movement can be subtle, gently transferring your weight from one leg to the other. Shift your weight from your left to right leg by gently bending the left knee and consciously loosening your quadriceps and hamstrings.
Step 5
Relax the muscles in both legs, allowing a tiny bend at both knees. Tense the muscles of both legs by contracting your quads and hamstrings. Continue to alternate between tensed and relaxed while you are forced to stand at attention.
Leg Stretches
Step 1
Brace one hand against a wall while standing straight. Use the opposite hand to gently grasp your ankle on the same side and pull the heel back, towards your buttocks to stretch your quadriceps. Hold the stretch for 10 seconds and repeat on the other side.
Step 2
Sit on the floor with your legs extended in front of you. Bend one leg towards you at the knee, keeping the other leg extended. Keep your arms at your sides and gently lean forward over the extended leg to stretch your hamstrings. Repeat on the other side.
Step 3
Complete your knee stretches daily to increase the mobility and flexibility within your knee joints. Use the hamstring and quadriceps stretches during warmup and cool down to protect your knees. Stop any exercise that causes you pain.
