Versatile knee protection

Ivan Zaytsev plays volleyball , and not just in the smart kit worn by the Italian national team. For over two years now, the elite athlete has also been sporting a support on his knee when he takes to the court. Not only does its color match his outfit – it also provides protection.

Volleyball is a fantastic sport , but it is also a tough one. With all the diving, spiking, and blocking involved, injuries are sometimes unavoidable. Abrasions that occur when players try to reach virtually unwinnable balls while diving low are among the more harmless injuries suffered. Knee problems caused by frequent jumping and landing, however, tend to be more serious. Ivan Zaytsev, an Italian national volleyball player with Russian origins, is no stranger to this kind of painful experience. The main problem he has suffered from is pain in the patellar tendon. It was so persistent that his team physician, Dr. Piero Benelli, advised him to use a GenuTrain P3 knee support , in combination with physiotherapy, to relieve the pain.

Preventing the kneecap from drifting

Several functional elements are incorporated into the GenuTrain P3 (the “P3” part stands for “permanent patella protection”) to provide a kind of “all-round” protection. For example, an adjustable corrective strap combined with a special pad and a patella cover prevents the kneecap from drifting away from its natural path. Meanwhile, a second, wedge-shaped pad stimulates the iliotibial tract to help even out imbalances. The compression exerted by the active support , particularly the intermittent compression during movement , speeds up the reduction of edemas and effusions. The sense of security during load bearing is improved and neuromuscular stabilization is provided for the joint. All these properties fit in with Dr. Benelli’s practical treatment concept. “We don’t have to look any further if we have a solution that helps the athlete and protects him from further risks,” he says.

Blue stands for reliable effectiveness

Dr. Benelli should know: with almost 30 years of experience as a sports physician, including at the Olympic Games, he recognizes exactly what his patients need. “Of course, they all want to get back on court quickly,” says Dr. Benelli, who runs a large rehabilitation center in the Italian town of Pesaro. Alongside other elite athletes, the center Fisioclinics Pesaro also looks after the basketball team VL Consultinvest Pesaro, which currently plays in the top division. “As a physician, however, you have to find the right solution for each individual.” He certainly seems to have done so in Ivan Zaytsev’s case, with the GenuTrain P3. The Italian national is currently playing for a Russian club, but the 28-year-old is also still known for delivering very impressive performances in the blue-and-white national kit. This may be partly down to the blue support protecting his kneecap too. 

Pictures: Bauerfeind, Getsportsmedia/Germano Riu, FOTOPRINT di Leonardo Mattioli & C. sas