Effects of prophylactic knee bracing on knee joint kinetics and kinematics during netball specific movements

Abstract

Objective
To investigate the effects of a prophylactic knee brace on knee joint kinetics and kinematics in netball specific movements.

Design
Repeated measures; Setting: Laboratory; Participants: Twenty university first team level female netball players.

Outcome measurements
Participants performed three movements, run, cut and vertical jump under two conditions (brace and no-brace). 3-D knee joint kinetics and kinematics were measured using an eight-camera motion analysis system. Knee joint kinetics and kinematics were examined using 2 × 3 repeated measures ANOVA whilst the subjective ratings of comfort and stability were investigated using chi-squared tests.

Results
The results showed no differences (p > 0.05) in knee joint kinetics. However the internal/external rotation range of motion was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced when wearing the brace in all movements. The subjective ratings of stability revealed that netballers felt that the knee brace improved knee stability in all movements.

Conclusions
Further study is required to determine whether reductions in transverse plane knee range of motion serve to attenuate the risk from injury in netballers.