Is skateboarding bad for your knees? [Affect + Cautions]

As skateboarding gains traction as a beloved outdoor activity, more and more teenagers and young adults are taking to the streets with their boards.

As with any physical activity, skateboarders need to take precautions in order to stay safe and healthy while performing tricks or cruising around town.

Although there isn’t conclusive scientific evidence that skateboarding is bad for the knees, there are some risks associated with this sport that should not be overlooked.

Learning how to properly execute tricks while wearing protective gear can help minimize the risk of long-term injuries to the joints of the knee and leg.

Therefore, it is important for every skateboarder to do their research on safe skateboarding practices before hitting the pavement or ramp.

Can skateboarding hurt your knees?

Skateboarding can certainly be a great form of exercise and recreation, but it can also be hazardous to the health of your knees.

Negligence while skateboarding is a common cause of knee injuries, as many skaters engage in risky tricks or lack protective gear. The repetitive force inherent in the sport can sometimes lead to long-term damage in the form of wear and tear on the ligaments, cartilage, and meniscus.

It’s important for skaters to have regular check-ups with a physician after skating for extended periods and engaging in difficult moves to ensure that their knee health is good.

Proper preparation like warming up before skating and wearing the necessary safety equipment could mean the difference between furthering your ability to enjoy skateboarding or putting yourself at risk of injury.

How does skateboarding affect your knees?

Skateboarding can have both positive and negative impacts on the knees. When done safely and properly, skateboarding can help to strengthen the muscles that support the knee joint, which in turn can help prevent injuries.

It also increases balance and coordination, two important aspects of protecting your knee joints from strain or injury. On the other hand, improper form while skateboarding or failing to use protective padding such as knee pads may increase the risk of injury or damage to the knee joints.

Skateboarding is a high-impact sport that requires quick shifts in direction and fast stops which can cause discomfort in the knees. This is especially true for advanced tricks such as ollies and flip tricks where more force is required to complete the trick correctly.

Doing these types of tricks without proper technique or preparation can put undue strain on your knees, leading to soreness, swelling, pain and even long-term damage or injury like torn ligaments or cartilage.

Even with protective gear it is important to pay attention to technique when skateboarding to avoid any injury risks associated with it.

How do you protect your knees when skateboarding?

Skateboarding can be an incredibly rewarding and exciting sport, but injuries are always a risk.

One of the most commonly injured areas on a skateboarder’s body is their knees. This makes sense given that knees play such an integral role in skating.

To minimize your risk of injury and have the best possible experience while skateboarding, here are five tips for protecting your knees.

Wear Protective Gear

Knee pads, elbow pads and wrist guards are essential pieces of protective gear for skateboarders and should be worn at all times when you’re on your board.

Quality knee pads will protect your knee from impact, keeping it safe from scrapes and bruises as well as more serious injuries like ACL tears or fractures.

Pay attention to fit when selecting knee pads you want them to be snug but not too tight or constricting.  

Strengthen Your Core Muscles

Your core muscles help keep your body balanced when you’re skateboarding, which helps reduce the amount of stress placed on your joints (including your knees).

Strengthening your core muscles through exercises like planks, squats and lunges can help you develop better balance and control while skating—which in turn reduces the chance of injury to yourself or others around you.  

Stretch Regularly

Stretching plays a vital role in any physical activity, and skateboarding is no exception.

Before you hit the streets with your board, take some time to stretch out your muscles so they’re limber and prepared for action.

Focus particularly on stretching out the muscles in your legs; this will help keep them loose and reduce strain on your knees during extended sessions or intense tricks.

Practice Proper Form

Proper form is important for preventing injuries while skateboarding—and this includes proper form for protecting your knees as well.

Keep in mind that if you’re not properly aligning yourself when landing tricks or performing certain maneuvers, you could be placing unnecessary strain on certain parts of the body (including the knees).

Knowing how to properly shift weight between feet can help prevent this from happening.

Warm Up Before You Ride

Before hopping onto a board each session, make sure to spend some time warming up with light jogging or dynamic stretches that target areas like hips, ankles, hamstrings and glutes.

Warming up helps ensure that these muscles are properly warmed up before engaging in heavy activity like skateboarding—which again reduces the risk of injury to joints like the knee joint. 

Final Verdict

Yes, skateboarding can hurt your knees, especially when done without protective gear.

Even experienced skateboarders may experience regular knee pain due to constant stress and pressure placed on the joint while attempting more difficult tricks or when encountering risks like riding rails or stairs.

In fact, improper technique and movement can cause knee problems even in recreational skaters. To reduce these potential damages, skaters should take the time to warm up, stretch out their muscles, and wear pads and helmets every time they hit the pavement.

Follow safety protocols and keep an eye out for any changing or recurring pain in order to remain healthy as you continue your skateboarding journey.