Effect of functional knee brace use on acceleration, agility, leg power and speed performance in healthy athletes

Rishiraj, Neetu; Taunton, Jack; Lloyd-Smith, Rob; Regan, William D.; Niven, Brian E.; Woollard, Robert

doi:10.1136/bjsm.2010.079244

Cited by 13 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…An interesting and somewhat unexpected finding was that as the magnitude of constraint increased (no brace < Playmaker < TROM), peak knee flexion increased. Our results differed from the findings of Rishiraj et al., 30 who showed that acceleration, agility, leg power, and speed were all lower in male athletes wearing a custom-fitted functional knee brace. These differences, however, disappeared after 14 hours of brace use, suggesting acclimatization.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 99%

A Biomechanical Comparison Shows No Difference Between Two Knee Braces used for Medial Collateral Ligament Injuries

Gentile

O’Brien

Conrad

et al. 2021

Arthroscopy, Sports Medicine, and Rehabilitation

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Purpose The purpose of this study was to assess the ability of 2 commonly used knee braces to control knee valgus motion and subsequent strain on the medial collateral ligament (MCL) in a laboratory-controlled environment. Methods Twenty healthy individuals (6 male, 14 female; mean age, 23 ± 3 years) with no history of knee injury or brace use performed a jump landing task while wearing either no brace or 1 of 2 braces: the Playmaker and Total Range of Motion . Three-dimensional joint kinematics and kinetics were measured in our biomechanics laboratory. Results Significantly less knee dynamic valgus angulation was noted when using either brace (−0.51° ± 3.9° and −1.3° ± 3.2°) compared no brace (4.8° ± 3.0°). Dynamic valgus angulation did not differ significantly between the 2 braces tested, which were both not statistically different from baseline alignment. There were significant differences seen in peak knee flexion angle between each brace (77.9° ± 8.8°and 83.1° ± 8.4°), as well as between both braces and no brace (90.6° ± 11.1°). There was no significant difference in knee frontal plane moment or peak vertical ground reaction force loading among all 3 testing conditions. Conclusions Compared to no brace, both braces allowed significantly less dynamic valgus angulation of the knee under physiological vertical loads but were not significantly different from one another. Clinical Relevance Knee braces are commonly used to protect the MCL when placed under physiological loads. It is important to know which braces effectively reduce valgus stress to provide the best outcomes.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 99%

A Biomechanical Comparison Shows No Difference Between Two Knee Braces used for Medial Collateral Ligament Injuries

Gentile

O’Brien

Conrad

et al. 2021

Arthroscopy, Sports Medicine, and Rehabilitation

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…After 14 hours of brace use, no differences in braced and non-braced groups were found, suggesting the need for an adaptation phase before engaging in full sport activity (24,25).…”

Section: Influence On Performancementioning

confidence: 94%

“…Athlete adjustment to the brace seems to be possible in terms of reaction, fatigue, and performance (23,24). After 14 hours of brace use, no differences in braced and non-braced groups were found, suggesting the need for an adaptation phase before engaging in full sport activity (24,25).…”

Section: Influence On Performancementioning

confidence: 99%

Do Knee Braces Prevent Ski Knee Injuries?

2017

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Background: Alpine skiing has high rates of knee injuries. Prophylactic knee braces (PKBs) and functional knee braces (FKBs) are often prescribed by clinicians to reduce injuries or re-injuries in skiers. Objectives: This literature review evaluates current knowledge on the biomechanical and clinical effectiveness of prophylactic and functional knee braces in preventing knee injuries and their impact on the athletic performance of non-injured and injured individuals. Methods: A literature review was performed to analyze the efficiency of knee braces concerning the reduction of mechanical stress, influence on muscle control, performance and injury prevention. Results: Most of the available literature describes research on the use of knee braces in contact sports, specifically American football. In this context, several studies show braces to be more effective in preventing medial collateral ligament injuries than anterior cruciate ligament injuries in both cadaveric and clinical studies. The use of functional braces after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction has been supported and refuted in both postoperative and long-term studies. Ski-specific studies show a positive effect of knee braces on proprioception; no influence on performance; and a protective effect on previously injured skiers. Conclusions: Current literature indicates PKBs may have a protective function in healthy patients, while influence on performance is minimal. Functional braces are recommended in ACL-deficient patients and are biomechanically effective under low-loading conditions. They may not be as effective in high-loading conditions, such as athletic activity. There is a protective effect of FKBs of preventing re-rupture of reconstructed ACLs and preventing further knee injuries on ACL-deficient knees in skiers. More research is needed to determine the effectiveness of PKBs snow sports.

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“…While FKBs are designed to be worn during activity, there is always a concern that its influence may negatively impact performance and agility. Yet, the work by Rishiraj et al 20 has shown that having worn braces for up to 12–14 h does not show performance deficits. However, the test condition utilized in our study was not challenging and the speed of movement was not high.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Electromyographic analysis of anterior cruciate deficient knees with and without functional bracing during lunge exercise

Jalali

Farahmand

Rezaeian

et al. 2016

Prosthetics &Amp; Orthotics International

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Effect of functional knee brace use on acceleration, agility, leg power and speed performance in healthy athletes

Abstract: An initial decrement in performance levels was recorded when a FKB is used during an alactic performance task. After 12.0-14.0 h of FKB use, performance measures were similar between the two testing conditions.

Cited by 13 publications

References 37 publications

A Biomechanical Comparison Shows No Difference Between Two Knee Braces used for Medial Collateral Ligament Injuries

A Biomechanical Comparison Shows No Difference Between Two Knee Braces used for Medial Collateral Ligament Injuries

Do Knee Braces Prevent Ski Knee Injuries?

Electromyographic analysis of anterior cruciate deficient knees with and without functional bracing during lunge exercise

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