[quote]SpeedStrength wrote:
Thanks guys, really nice discussion going on, good links, LOTS of posts since I last checked this. Nice.
Just a btw, I want read:need to develop my VM to improve knee tracking as my patellas track out to the sides as I bend my knees a bit(rather pronounced when completely bent) and I want to fix this. Probably won’t help performance or anything, just an aesthetic thing plus it kind of worries me.
So you know, if there are any articls or whatever on improving knee tracking, I’d love to read 'em![/quote]
I have this problem in my left knee. Believe me, it’s not an “aesthetic thing”. I’ve had huge problems due to this for years until it got diagnosed.
Strengthening the VMO is important, but so is timing. The VMO should fire before the rest of the quad (somebody correct me if I’m talking out of my arse).
The most important thing you should worry about is why your patella doesn’t track correctly. It might just be a muscle imbalance, but there are other factors such as poor posture, bad biomechanics, or (as in my case) over-pronating feet.
Don’t treat the symptom, treat the cause.
Do a search for “the knee pain thread” and read what’s in there.
[quote]Miserere wrote:
The most important thing you should worry about is why your patella doesn’t track correctly. It might just be a muscle imbalance, but there are other factors such as poor posture, bad biomechanics, or (as in my case) over-pronating feet.
[/quote]
He’s correct. I’ve known that tight iliotibial bands and weak VMO contributed to my patellar mistracking, but I’ve only recently found out the role that overpronationof my foot plays.
Find a really good PT and get it checked out. My ART practitioner was able to confirm this also, so if you can find a good ART practitioner they may be able to help also.
SpeedStrength wrote:
I tried using the leg press guys like you told me with my feet pointed out… I’ve used it 3 times now and it sucks! Maybe it works but its uncomfortable as hell and the day after my knees hurt. I have tried adjusting the machine a few different ways. Nothing helped much.
Now my question: To build up my inner thigh muscles(namely the vastus medialis), wouldn’t I derive better gains from just squatting with a very wide stance and/or going very low??