Hopefully you all are getting outside and going for some hikes. While hiking uphill feels great, works your backside, and increases your heart rate, walking down the other side can cause some serious knee pain. Walking, or even worse running, downhill can really stress your knee joints. Here are a few tips on how to protect your knees when headed down the other side of the incline.

Wake up your VMO: The VMO (vastis medialis oblique) is the muscle that keeps the knee cap tracking correctly. It is the inner part of your quads and soccer stars like Davids Beckham (he does have lovely legs – too bad the Galaxy uniform shorts are so long), have nicely developed VMOs. It is a lazy muscle so you have to wake up the VMO by giving it a little pat, smack, or flick. I know it sounds crazy, but it works.

Zigzag: Instead of walking straight down the incline, try going in a zigzag pattern. Making your own personal switch backs significantly decreases the pressure on your knee joints. Plus if you are wearing a pedometer, walking this way will probably double the amount of steps you take on your descent.

I have another tip so read more.

Try walking backwards: Walking backwards gives tired muscles a break since moving this way uses the opposite muscle group of walking forward. Make sure to twist your head around to see where you are going and do alternate the shoulder you look over – you don't want to tweak your neck just looking to one side.

Fit's Tip: If your knees are bugging you after a vigorous hike, try rolling out your IT Band or use some hiking poles.

Source