Taping and Bracing
Sports Ankle Support
Trainers typically protect and support their teams’ joints by taping them. Kino tape can improve proprioception and protect the ankle from injury, but it needs to be applied correctly to be effective. Kino tape also has other issues, including sweat buildup and movement loosening its position around the joint as you play.
Quality bracing is a stronger option, especially when required consistently. Whether during training or games, it can aid in support, protection, and recovery without losing its tension. It is important to know which ankle brace suits you and to get the measurements right for that perfect fit.
For example, our Sports Achilles Support is best suited if you have issues with the Achilles tendon. It incorporates compression to improve circulation and proprioception. It also has a specialised Achilles gel pad that helps take pressure off the Achilles tendon.
The Sports Ankle Support, on the other hand, has a figure-8 strap that stabilises the ankle during movement.
Shop our range of Basketball ankle braces and refer to our product size chart to guide your measurements. All our products are made in Germany with a strong emphasis on accurate sizing, quality materials used to achieve medical-grade compression, and decades of world-leading research to help achieve maximum performance and protection.
Strengthen Muscles with Training
Basketball players condition their bodies to perform better and maximise their capabilities. Trainers usually organise a workout program that includes strengthening key muscle groups with a variety of balancing exercises and flexibility programs.
- Press your foot onto a tennis ball and slowly roll it around to loosen the plantar fascia.
- Roll your calves on a foam roller to release tension in the fascia.
- Stretch your calves with the leaning calf stretch.
- Do some calf raises and resisted flexion and extension exercises to strengthen the ankle muscles.
- To further strengthen the ankle muscles, do some basketball drills (shooting, passing, dribbling) while standing on one leg.
Remember, stiff muscles limit your range of motion, and weak muscles are less effective at protecting the joint, both of which increase your risk of injury.
Importance to Rest and Recovery
Hard work in training is important, but you wouldn’t want to overdo it. Our bodies need to rest and recover to minimise the risk of injury. If you want to work out on a rest day, professionals advise you to take it easy and consider stretching in the form of yoga or Pilates. In addition to adequate sleep, eating the right food is also key to recovery, as you need nutrients, carbohydrates, and protein to build muscle and restore your energy reserves (glycogen).
Prevention
Start prevention early. In addition to strength and conditioning and adequate recovery, medical professionals recommend young athletes wear braces and supports in areas that commonly are known to be injured (e.g., ankles). Wearing ankle braces can help you avoid injuries and can potentially make you perform better, which is always a plus.
