Date of Award

Fall 12-1-2007

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Physical Education

First Advisor

Alfred Finch

Second Advisor

Blanche Evans

Third Advisor

Kathy Ginter

Abstract

Knee bracing is used at all levels of athletics to prevent or support existing knee injuries; however, little research has been conducted on the effects of knee braces on athletic performance. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine how two different types of knee braces, semi-customizable braces and knee sleeves, affect vertical jumping performance. Subjects were nine college aged males who regularly participated in athletic activity. Subjects performed a task consisting of a drop jump from a height of 18 inches, landing in a squat position, followed immediately by a maximal vertical jump while wearing two different knee braces and while not braced. The subjects were filmed performing each task, which was then analyzed using Ariel Performance Analysis Software (APAS). The parameters measured were vertical jump peak height, maximal jump velocity, knee angle a deep crouch, movement time, propulsive phase time, and hang time. Subjects also completed a post-jumping questionnaire regarding their subjective response to the braces used during activity, including the comfort of the brace and whether they felt the brace had any effect on their performance. No statistically significant differences were found between values of any of the variables tested for any of the bracing conditions. A few possible explanations exist regarding these findings. First, the vertical jump task may not have been sufficient to JV illicit a difference in performance. A jump of a greater magnitude or a more sport specific activity may be better suited to demonstrate an effect on performance. Secondly, the knee braces tested simply do not have an effect on performance.

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