The Effects of Wearing Prophylatic Knee Sleeves/Braces on Selected Isokinetic Measures During a Velocity Spectrum Knee Extension Test

Abstract

Twenty Virginia Tech varsity football players, age 18-24, volunteered as subjects to examine the effects of wearing prophylatic knee sleeves/ braces on selected isokinetic measures (i.e. strength, power and endurance). Each subject performed the Biodex (Multi-Joint System 2AP) knee extension test in each of three experimental conditions: sleeved with the Don Joy Knee support (S-DJ); braced with the McDavid lateral knee support (B-MD); and the control, unsupported condition (C-UN). The order of experimental conditions and the specific knee tested were randomized. The subjects were administered a Biodex knee extension test at 60 deg/sec, 210 deg/sec, and 450 deg/sec. The test protocol consisted of five maximal repetitions at 60 deg/sec, twenty maximal repetitions at 210 deg/sec and thirty maximal repetitions at 450 deg/sec. The following isokinetic measures were recorded: (1) peak torque to body weight ratio at 60 deg/sec. (2) work to fatigue ratio at 210º and 450 deg/sec. (3) average power at 210º and 450 deg/sec, and (4) range of motion at 60º, 210º, and 450 deg/sec. One way repeated measures analysis of variance revealed significant difference ( p > .03 ) in peak torque to body weight ratio treatment groups; work to fatique ratio, average power and range of motion revealed no significant diference among the three experimental conditions. The investigator concluded that prophylatic knee sleeves/braces effects peak torque to body weight ratio; the effect of different levels of condition does not depend on what level of speed is present for work to fatigue, average power and range of motion.