Essential advice from our expert team on everything from protecting your knees when you trip up, to running while breast-feeding. Plus how often to have sport massages if you want to help prevent injuries
Q I’m 34 years old and have mild cerebral palsy. I started running just over a year ago and have exceeded my expectations. I fall quite a lot as I lose my balance easily, which means I cut my knees so often that they never heal. I have some homemade knee pads but they rub when I run. Do you have any suggestions on how to protect my knees as I’ve entered a short triathlon for disabled people and an endurance race?
A This is a tricky question as you need something that will protect your knees without restricting your movement and rubbing or causing blisters. Knee supports can sometimes help, but these are designed to provide additional support to the joint and could have an impact on your movement pattern. Therefore I suggest trying kinesiology tape to provide a protective layer over your knees. Apply it around your knee joints and over the top of your knees to act as an additional layer of skin. If you then fall during a run, the tape will take the impact, rather than your skin. Try Rock Tape or Toropro Tape as they’re breathable and flexible. Both of them are water resistant too, so should stay intact during your triathlon, but it’s worth giving them a trial first just to make sure. If you need a small amount of padding under the tape, place one or two first-aid bandage dressings underneath, as this will help to cushion your knees when you fall. DM