Good Question: Why Do Locked Knees Cause Fainting?

(KUTV) Last Saturday, 2News reporter Brooke Graham fainted while strapped into ski boots during a morning show live shot.Brooke is fine. Even her pride seems to have come through the incident unscathed. She has laughed off the incident both in the privacy of the KUTV newsroom among her friends (where we enjoy the laugh with her), and while giving multiple national television interviews about her pass-out spell.The video of Brooke fainting was posted to KUTV's KZbin account where it has been seen close to 5 million times in less than a week. The video has also generated thousands of comments, many speculating that Brooke passed out because she was standing with her knees locked.Could that be the cause? It's a good question.KZbin is certainly full of plenty of other video evidence that keeping your legs perfect straight can result in the need for a quick and sudden nap. People in wedding parties tend to be regular victims as do military men and women standing at attention.Dr. Eric Smart, an emergency room physician at Alta View Hospital, says that the most common cause of fainting is decreased blood flow to the brain. Dr. Smart says locked knees can contribute to such a decreased blood flow because gravity works against the body trying to pump blood to the brain.If you're standing up with your knees locked, blood tends to pool in your lower extremities and it's more difficult to get it up to the head [and] brain, he said. If your knees are bent a little bit then the muscles contract and act as a bit of a pump to help facilitate getting blood out of the legs and up to the head.As for Brooke, she speculates that the decrease in oxygen to her brain had less to do with locking her knees and more to do with a cold she'd been fighting or perhaps the altitude. Brooke says she plans to talk to a doctor about it.Dr. Smart says that fainting is rarely an emergency but that if it happens multiple times it's probably worth a call to your doctor.If you have a good question you would like answered, call Matt Gephardt at [phone] or email [e-mail] Matt Gephardt(Copyright 2014 Sinclair Broadcasting Group)

[@wilsonblauheuer6544]

a true reporter, she never lost the microphone.

[@torinjones3221]

So true

[@dorkyanimations5]

Lmao ikr lol

[@ciro8861]

that doctor looks like he's about to pass out, smoking a spliff between patients hhmmmm?

[@Tiresomejim]

ciro8861 LMAOO

[@smokeybear1925]

ciro8861 lack of sleep

[@JohnDoe-em7of]

Lots of doctors are addicted to their own pills

[@Oooch]

Yeah I thought that scene was gonna be "We asked the Doctor but... he locked his knees and passed out"

[@Is_it_p]

@@Oooch lol its an epidemic

[@theminecraftboy1231]

I fainted because my knees were locked in chorus a couple days ago. it was so embarrassing. we also were standing for 40 minutes

[@mayra.here.]

same

[@TheRaptureIsNear]

ivaan I stood for 2 hours today at attention, a couple of people passed out too. Good thing you werent at the ceremony or else you would be laughed at.

[@TheRaptureIsNear]

Like if you pass out people would just laugh :/

[@eddythegoat1261]

Try band. We stand for hours with breaks 3 min breaks hopefully every 30min to a hour but being in pit you stand for hours straight because your not marching so rarely you need to rest

[@reakelley2456]

me too, but it was last year.

[@shannonb2]

Almost all of the new marchers have passed out during our preformances in marching band. We tell them over and over again to unlock their knees but they just wont listen to us.

[@666hours2]

same here, the freshman that we have always lock their legs while in attention

[@deathpixelgaming]

Shannon B same here. We were in a competition and right after, 3 people passed out

[@funky5955]

new marchers dont realize how real the problem is until it happens to them. i had no idea until i locked my knees and crashed into a tree trunk head first with a 30+ pound drum strapped to my chest. side note, tell them to wiggle their toes! it helps a fuck ton when you're standing at attention

[@sarabenson2918]

Wow Wow when we first start the season, we go through hours of basics and just learn how to march without locking our knees

[@user-kd9qk7ij2j]

Wait how do I not lock my knees

[@marilynbradley1491]

This happened to me last night. Never knew such a thing was possible.

[@alphaKode]

Never lock your knees, my MCJROTC Class Commander face planted by doing it at the 2015 Veteras Day Parade.

[@nucleardancemoves255]

A Marine Corp class commander locking his knees at a veterans parade? Insane

[@justinshoats6989]

Ur commander should know better. Someone fainted in my NJROTC class today in practice AMI

[@allisonbrown7673]

I did this at a funeral at the burial during a prayer

[@thunderthys2077]

Allison Brown did you faint?

[@MilMike]

Allison said she did this at a funeral.. Allison is dead, she won't answer you now. R.I.P. Allison Brown

[@Paysonn]

@@MilMike Are you dumb?

[@boomheadshot63]

Payson r/wooosh, do you not get the joke?

[@Madvillian]

so sad, she was so young and had her whole life ahead of her. if only she didn't lock her knees and die, she will forever be in our hearts. rip allison brown

[@dantaliangerhardtsreiter180]

My family gets confused when I tell them I only feel faint when I'm standing stationary. They think I'm just out of shape and can't stand for long, yet I can run and do other standing exercises just fine without getting dizzy. I only pass out when I STOP moving and just stand there. I used to be a cashier and in marching band, and would always black out when standing still. Glad to know it's not just me lol

[@animula6908]

I wonder how many people passed out during the standing desk fad.

[@nastyachernomorchenko1065]

That's the reason I move side to side when standing, didn't know it's the knees thing

[@vanessapalacios3116]

Ima do this to get out of gym class

[@guythatisalive1005]

On god

[@mook3204]

guy that is alive bro stfu you already out of gym class 💀

[@floatingchimney]

Vanessa gurl u are beautiful.

[@SantiRodri05]

leave gym?? thats the best class of the day

[@oofers17]

@@SantiRodri05 you my guy are one in a million i don't know anyone who likes gym class

[@rrhunter2002]

For Jr ROTC, we had to go to a veterans ceremony, a couple cadets locked their knees and passed out. One was next to me, I heard a thud and looked over and saw people rushing over to her.

[@AlienDark12]

Happens to my batallion during their Veteran's Day parade all the time. Even after saying the exact same thing for the entire semester, they still lock their knees.

[@shroomslut9817]

Jeannette Wade That happened to me lol

[@waffle1012]

Jeannette Wade every time we go there at least 1 person passes out and the most recent time we went 7 people passed out and one of our fellow saxes lost vision instead of passing out.A fellow french horn caught him with one and the band director quickly carried him out of our positions.He came back 15 minutes later, and telling us he saw pure black for 10 minutes

[@michaelz7683]

It happened to us at our formal inspection. She's fine now but she almost knocked my ai down

[@joelaitchison3147]

Happened to me at our Remembrance Day ceremony (veterans day in Australia).

[@froladee]

Trying it now but I keep chickening out after 30 seconds 🤣

[@bruhi4914]

Y tho😂

[@froladee]

@Berzerker God hells yes 😂

[@menace6734]

@Berzerker God same 😭. I was tryna do that last night and faint in the perfect position. Turns out it didn’t work and I am nocturnal...

[@paulinotou]

It happens all the time in the military. Im in the army and Its a very common, there was a captain who passed out in a brigade change of command in front of everybody. When I was in JROTC we were doing a ceremony and 2 cadets passed out and 2 people in the audience passed out.

[@stevenrosa80]

Whats your MOS

[@paulinotou]

@@stevenrosa80 91B going on 8 years now.

[@jakebrown6558]

Thank you for your service 👍

[@kombewcha3405]

How do u keep it from happening

[@paulinotou]

@@kombewcha3405 Honestly you have to plan it. Drink water and don't lock your knees. I never had to do this but if you are feeling light headed ask to step out Being stationed at Fort Polk you climatize to the humidity. But I would be lying to say that standing in formation was easy.

[@moneysoles5185]

I wish I knew this for the last 15 years when I felt like passing out at church for 3 hours every week

[@MAXIMUS-yk5vs]

Omfg today in church we were all standing and doing this interactive reading thing and I was standing with my feet together the whole time, knees locked, (a habit I got from marching band) and out of nowhere I almost fall over. They sat me down and it was pretty embarrassing. So yes, this is completely true. I saw colors, my hearing went out, and even though I had my eyes open, I couldn’t see anything. I started sweating to. Always stand with ur feet apart!!

[@ayesp6188]

This happened to me and I fell down a flight of stairs and didnt gain conciousness until I was 3 steps from the bottom. Hurt like hell and probably suffered a very mild concussion.

[@cassidydeneau7076]

I used to be a sea cadet, and I've seen plently of people pass out/collapse, typically during long ceremonies where we stand for 40min or more in the hot sun in thick black uniforms while standing still. Everyone knows that we're supposed to bend our knees every couple minutes and to wiggle our toes.

[@Skinwalkerxiv]

I passed out at MEPS while swearing in lol

[@Agent1W]

+Kyle Benton That would have sucked if there were serious consequences from that. Granted, it was hard enough having to get up at the "crack of midnight".

[@skylarklonowski1900]

A girl in my band class fell over because she locked her knees. I had a panic attack and she fainted 3 times.

[@galilearodriguez2885]

Skylar Klonowski happened to me today and don’t remember what happened

[@patrioticeagle577]

In addition locking your knees can cause you to pass out but also when you are in band and playing a woodwind class it would be worse

[@kiingazaniiah2209]

When my JROTC platoon was in formation on the first day, about 5 Cadets went down after locking knees

[@masonsmith6168]

My knee locked up I just bent it it made a weird noise

[@aleenatippit3600]

And 8th grader was recording a 4th grade Christmas program at my school today while standing up and she kept twitching and we didn't think anything of it and then she locked her knees and fell straight backwards and passed out no one caught her and it was on gym floor

[@laniig572]

pftttttt lol

[@levitate08]

I locked my knees in band rehearsal today. I was the weakest link.

[@selina.with.an.i6623]

In 8th grade I was listening to a speech my principal gave on the last day of shool before summer break. It was about 45 ish minutes long. I had my knees locked and I lost consciousness... It was outside and I fell on the concrete floor and hit my head. When I regained consciousness, it was the next day and noon. It was so embarrassing going back to school then because everyone apparently rushed over to me and my classmates made fun of me. What do we learn from this? High shool sucks and never lock your knees kids!!! 😂

[@Coldstreamer17]

Note: if you ever do think you're going to faint, just sit down. Or if you can't start doing squats. Being in NJROTC, a lot of good hints help a lot. Also, drink ATLEAST 2-3 full bottles of water before whatever you're doing for a long time. Though it won't prevent it, it certainly will help (speaking from experience).

[@calumhamiltonthelord4423]

Today in ROTC, 3 people passed out for locking knees during inspection and 2 had to go to the hospital and one split his lip, chin and got a gash on the chin

[@klazje]

I fainted while at marching band in the 90 degree heat, thankfully I didn’t have my knees locked because if I did I would’ve fallen on my face and broken my jaw. I wouldn’t have been able to play the clarinet anymore

[@ashers_creed3997]

my_shoes_are_ purple I understand my fello clarinet player. I almost fainted at summer marching band.

[@defalt1192]

I hope we are talking about 90 degrees Celsius here

[@ashers_creed3997]

In summer band, we were doing drill and learning marching techniques. The weather was in the hundreds and was SUPER humid that morning. Let me say that again. MORNING! As we were learning something, I started getting nauseous. I knocked it off and just chugged some water. I continued marching till I started to get dizzy. I took this as a sign of me started to faint so I went to my section leader and told him how I was feeling . As I was walking off the field down to the shade, my clarinet suddenly became very heavy and my legs got weak. I wanted to fall but tried my hardest to stay up and not fall on my section leader. My vision started getting dark but I could still see. It was like I was wearing sunglasses inside. When I got to the shade under the tree, I sat down and put my head in between my legs in case I actually did faint. I didn’t luckily. My section leader gave me half of his peanut butter sandwich and I felt better afterwards. I don’t remember locking my knees but at the time we were standing in check a lot (it’s pretty much attention for military). So that might be part of it in addition to the humidity, heat and, workouts. Don’t push yourself too hard. Know when to stop and sit out.

[@karimhemdan01]

This happened to me a couple day ago while standing in formation after PT, got 7 stitches in my chin to remember it

[@MrBrainfreeze300]

Lmfaoo they played her shit at the end

[@honestlywhy2658]

Who else is bending their knees rn

[@Nico_911]

bro i dont think ill ever lock them again

[@Gowther31]

Nice reminder of how sensitive the brain is to changes. It is scary how fast a person can get knocked out in certain holds some marines demonstrated to me once. If tou start to feel dizzy or faint after standing still for a long duration, bend your knees, walk around a bit, take full breaths, meaning stomach breathing as I've had it described in marching band. More oxygen+more blood flow is great, although the environment, viruses, other factors can work against you, and there is no guarantee this won't happen to you. If someone passes out, be sure to know how to place them in the recovery position should breath and pulse be present. If they hit the ground hard they could have a concussion. An ambulance should be called or emergency dial should their condition worsen, vitals drop or unconcious state for extended period. In hot conditions where the cause is likely heat illness related do your best to provide the person shade. Lay the person down and elevate the legs and feet slightly. Remove tight or heavy clothing. Have the person sip chilled water, a decaffeinated sports drink containing electrolytes or other nonalcoholic beverage without caffeine. Cool the person by spraying or sponging with cool water and fanning. Confusion, slurred speech, or unconsciousness are signs of heat stroke and should immediately call 911. When in doubt, always call 911. Stay safe out there everyone.

[@USNMelDaria]

I locked my knees once in formation, worst mistake ever!!🤷🏽‍♀️

[@JGrimm52]

4 years in the Army and I never did this, but see it countless times. Always cracks me up

[@yiasminathefangirl]

thank god I can’t stand still for that long (meaning i slightly move my body when standing)

[@rayanson2795]

So every people who fainted by locking their knees come to this video to comment about it? I'm just trying lt inform myself

[@slightly1947]

I felt that before when I went to Church, stood up straight for 10-15 Minutes straight and felt dizzy.

[@sirlagsalot2940]

How long does it usually take to pass out when locking your knees

[@zed908]

15 or more min it depends on blood pressure

[@dannyfoxboi]

In my ROTC class, they tell us not to lock our knees when standing at attention so that we don't pass out... I always thought it was strange because I didn't know how bad locking your knees could actually be... Now I think I understand better...

[@RecklesSleepy805]

So mine locks up randomly and today I was playing gta,got up to use the restroom and my knee locked up so I walked sit off on accident. Hurt like hell but as I got in my bathroom felt light headed and lost control of myself, I felt like I blacked out but idk my vision lost color I couldn't see or think about anything and I fell on the ground

[@MrWatcherQuiet]

It takes like 15 mins of standing with locked knees to pass out lol, you don't pass out seconds after locking them. If anything it probably had more to do with you most likely sitting for an extended amount of time playing GTA I would assume.

[@jessica3.14]

My friend passed out while we were marching (band) and at attention.

[@Valeria-rb4vf]

Lisa Ham my friend did the same and when I went to see him in the nurses office, he acted as if nothing happened. I was so shaken because I had never seen anyone pass out but I knew he was fine.

[@andreaklempay2044]

Band director: don’t lock you’re knees kids!1!1!1! Me: locks knees and doesn’t pass out Me: oof

[@Rocky_Intertidal]

Almost happened to me while standing at attention on my first day in high school marching band. I asked the drum major if I could sit down because I felt nauseous and my vision was going white. A minute later another new student fell right over. Of course only then did the drum major tell us not to lock our knees...

[@FebuaryMoon]

The only reason I clicked on this video is because of marching band haha, freshman here, flute

[@Wickedfan219]

I actually was in choir from 8th grade through 10th grade and one day in 8th grade during our rehearsal for a concert that was coming up I accidentally locked my knees while I was singing and I was feeling dizzy and my vision was blurry and blue because I was about to pass out. My choir director noticed and told me to sit while one of the other students used their music folder to fan me.

[@JoninJordan]

Wickedfan219 smart one, that director.

[@voidc4391]

Smart one

[@QuietGuitaristfan]

I got dizzy and thought I was having a stroke. I then realized I had just been locking my legs.

[@DirtCheapFU]

Fainting in formation, sucks. I was luck enough to not have that issue, but because I'm 6'4" I was always a guide-on bearer. So, I always had my attention alert and spot others, that would kinda wake me up and get me to shake my knees abit.

[@dukeofthecastle1251]

I locked my knees during a uniform check in ROTC and I passed out I’m still so embarassed

[@DiamondDepthYT]

I once fainted during a cast photo in theater. We were standing on a mountain set piece, which meant we all were standing on STAIRS. I just so happened to be the kid who stood at the very top of the stairs.. I fainted mid-shoot and fell down quite a few stairs. Woke up 30 minutes later with a headache and soreness in all of muscles (and bruises) because of the fall.. lol

[@youngnurse9994]

My knees are always locked when my husband gets in bed! He tries to unlock them , but I pretend that I have fainted ! 😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣😉😉😁

[@slavenrasic2204]

Wait what

[@robertomurri1278]

Is the sex great?

[@RiverLife100]

Absolutely NO ANSWER to What is locking your knees.

[@valueissubjective8297]

All those jrotc kids have to watch this for they go to the ceremony’s , cause straight up 5 people passed out during ours 😂😂😭

[@DraconicMaker]

This is sadly common in my ROTC Unit. People never taught him to not lock his knees. And during a award ceremony he just fell to the ground..

[@em12837]

I had a parade today (I'm a police cadet), and a dozen people passed out in front of some really important people

[@Vera_-fe9yp]

When you’re dutch and can’t unsee ‘kut’ in the channel name

[@yuyuart6113]

I didn't even know that was a thing ! Better watch out

[@allisonneuman8950]

This happened to me during chorus once, although I didn't faint but i almost fell and i was able to shake myself out of it... that was scary.

[@lolhahah21]

ohhh cool story.. one thing.. when you say "although" you don't include the "but". Although and but don't go together in the same sentence. So it's not "Although I didn't faint *but* I almost...". Rather, the correct way to say it is, "Although I didn't faint, I almost fell and was able to shake myself out of it." And one more thing, I don't know why you put a comma right after "once" and before "although". It should've been two different sentences. So your full sentence should have read: This happened to me once during choir. Although I didn't faint, I almost fell and was able to shake myself out of it. That was scary.

[@doppled]

@@lolhahah21 b r u h

[@teawithsugarandsomekookies4634]

@@lolhahah21 wdgaf

[@leftbenchplayaa]

i remember when i was in mcrd san diego we had like 3 or 4 marines faint during graduation practice. but think about how we’ve been standing on that parade deck for hours under that hot blazing sun. 😂

[@jdspreest]

I thought for a second there that Dr. Smart had locked his knees too LOL

[@aloneinjpn]

Old Guard soldier here, we got this shit 'on lock'.....

[@rey374]

THIS SHIT HAPPENED TO ME IN COURT MY FIRST TIME IN COURT I WAS SO SCARED STANDING STRAIGHT FOR 40 MINUTES

[@ghuyijimooth6027]

I’m in uniform group and we have to stand still for a long time. After more than an hour, I started feeling hot, dizzy and drowsy. Next, I open my eyes to find teachers and other student cadets kneeling in front of me. I shot up quickly but faints again.

[@frost5684]

so this might explain my fainting spell when i was in class my teacher was showing us something and we were all standig, everything got fuzzy and the next thing i knew i was on the floor out cold

[@aximmii]

In NJROTC when we were learning how to stand at attention and parade rest they told us not to lock our knees. :/

[@average13yearoldlifter]

when I was in third grade I was doing a school concert and I was locking my knees and I had to stand still for 1 hour. I started to feel weak and dizzy so I shook out my legs and walked in place for a bit. I was so lucky that I didn't pass out lol 😂

[@l.h.2543]

We were warned in Boot Camp not to lock knees while standing in formation to reduce risk of fainting.

[@sarabenson2918]

In my marching band when we start the season we learn how to march without locking our knees so we don’t pass out

[@peachlemonade6450]

I have a chorus concert in a few days, lasting 45 minutes, and our directed is even warning us if fainting, lol

[@baconbities]

a kid passed out today cause of that and i was wondering why that happens

[@lpsshimmer6722]

A kid in my jrotc class on inspection day passed out while we were in the position of attention after the teacher told everybody everyday not to do it or you'll pass out so he passed out. I think he was trying to see if it was true or not and he found out the hard way.

[@terrydouglas5008]

It cuts down blood circulation. Learned that in basic in 1968.

[@gendoll5006]

I’m confused… did they not quite edit one important part right… they showed the doc saying the most common reason people pass out is “increase blood flow to the brain” but isn’t it from a DECREASED blood flow to the brain from standing still for a period of time (knees locked adding to it) and the blood pooling from gravity and you need to increase the blood flow to prevent or fix it lol? If you keep one knee slightly bent, wiggle your toes or even just flex your calf muscles a few times every few mins (muscle contractions are a huge part of circulation as they push on the blood vessels and aid in pumping the blood back up your leg) then you could prevent passing out, along with staying hydrated!

[@BhindTheShingle]

Bruh that doctor geeked

[@yazlinne50]

I have fainted before it does not feel good at all

[@jerrycalderon8504]

what can u do when your knee locks

[@kameronpeterson3601]

bend them slightly

[@itspissmlord8765]

jerry calderon wiggle your toes!!!!! wiggle em hard!!!

[@yzaiahguillen9949]

First thing they tell us in JROTC and Marching band......... DONT LOCK YOUR KNEES

[@markymarco2570]

"Give us some base" boom! lol

[@jefflindsey4699]

I ate dirt at morning formation once. The first thing someone asked was if I had locked my knees. Morning formation at dark thirty is not very formal and I had been in long enough to know not to lock them.

[@HangingWithEpstein]

They did her dirty with the slow motion, rewind, slow motion thing... LoL 1sgt ALWAYS said "don't lock your GD knees".

[@StreetHierarchy]

So, give us some BASS.

[@plutoprojector9126]

Does locking your knees mean your just not bending them? Please someone explain please 🙁

[@leonortorres3596]

Yeah it does I'm pretty sure😅

[@uzainisnotgenius2691]

Today it happened to me in front of school heads in hall

[@thankx7865]

i was doing a drill and i had my knees locked while at attention. it started off with dizziness and then ur vision starts to lose. you go completely blind all white. You lose ur sturdiness but if u still have consciousness you will be able to stand if you try. then you fajnt

[@pjstake1566]

This is huge in the military

[@robinvanbeem7463]

i have had this for over a year. every time i get up or walk i almost pass out. 4-8 times a day

[@lizzieyaneli]

I used to attend a military high school (which I hated it) and I fainted in this position but I din’t blame it on the position but the sounds of the trumpets, I think it’s like those people that get seizures with flashing images but in my case it were the high notes on the 50 trumpets playing at the same time.

[@amynewcomer3469]

I locked my knees in the back of the auditorium before a jrotc color gaurd. I started not to see it was crazy ! Thankfully the officer got me a chair before I fell. Just don’t lock your knees 😁

[@ranaewill1885]

I’m in jrotc and we were In uinform inspection, and I had my knees locked and I felt myself start to get nauseous and almost fell over, hella embarrassing

[@IridescentPink]

**equips urban evasion**

[@ScoopDogg]

So why don't people with an amputation at knee on both legs fitted with false ones faint, and fighter pilots who have pressure suits to prevent blood entering limbs faint as its stopping flow. People faint from lack of oxygen most due to breath as their hearts not pumping much due to not STANDING STILL

[@lilshaz23]

How do you even lock your knees

[@deadspace2]

I have had close calls with locking my knees during military ceremonies (Marines). I did it at my graduation at PI and had to adjust or it was game over. My buddy a few spots behind me wasn't so lucky and our kill hat was silently laughing as he drug dude off the parade deck, mind you I graduated August 31st on a nice hot summer day. Second time was at the change of command ceremony at 29 palms, if you know about the heat there you know... 😅 good times.

[@leftright6940]

eric smart was high as fuck lmao

[@ProdByAusto]

At least she fell in the snow

[@PoopiDScoop]

She'd make a good audio stab for a dubstep song "so why don't you give us some bas.... Thump"

[@Jennacide.]

I was starting to get nauseated and black out in cadets once, Good shit, Got me outta standing still lol

[@victoriagodinez79]

I always thought people faint are caused by heat & not getting hydrated.

[@rayanson2795]

Our body never evolved to deal with this

[@DHZ-xy5ui]

I hate standing still so much

[@hostiletoxictomdowneyburne6469]

Saw a dude eat concrete Bec he locked out his knees at a change of command lol.

[@gabyayala8321]

Locking your knees cause fainting because your blood will stop flowing so if your standing in the heat for idk 40 mins wiggle your toes and bend your knees a little bit

[@erynisrenee]

i literally fainted yesterday from locking my knees

[@bartechkok]

Cr1tikal brought me here