Fix Your Knees Before They Fail: A 5-Level System for Active Adults Who Still Want to Jump

Still jumping, landing, and lifting—but your knees don’t feel the same?

In this episode, Craig and Alex break down the 5-Level Framework for keeping your knees healthy, strong, and pain-free—especially if you’re an active adult dealing with old injuries, stubborn swelling, or a history of patellar pain.

Whether you’re playing pickup sports, chasing kids, or just want to train without blowing out your knees, this episode walks you through exactly what to fix—and in what order.

You’ll learn how to spot silent breakdowns like quad inhibition, why force absorption matters more than power production, and how smart loading (not fancy exercises) keeps you in the game.

In this episode:– The 4 non-negotiables for knee health– Why quad inhibition quietly ruins your performance– How to test if your muscles are “shut off” (and what to do)– Force absorption vs. power: why it’s the missing link in injury prevention– Movement patterns that wreck your landings– Why “fixing your glutes” isn’t always the answer– How to spot faulty movement (valgus, stiffness, asymmetry)– Real recovery strategies (not just ice and tape)– Why weekly and monthly load planning matters more than random rest– How to stop masking symptoms—and start managing your knee

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Welcome to Past Your Prime – the podcast for active adults balancing training, rehab, family, and real life.

Each episode, hosts Craig Smith and Alex Keicher dive into real-world strategies for overcoming injuries, staying strong, and living pain-free—even when life gets chaotic.

💡 Learn more, access resources, and join our community:👉 ⁠pastyourprime.com

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Follow us on Instagram:📲 Alex – @spikerkeicher📲 Craig – @craigsmithPT