Abstract des Autors

The purpose of this study was to measure the effect of the prophylactic knee brace on selected isokinetic muscular characteristics and forward sprint speed. Twenty physically active, healthy, male college students with no prior history of brace use participated in this study. The subjects were randomly tested both with and without the prophylactic knee brace worn on various performance parameters. The dependent measures assessed included peak torque (PT) and torque acceleration energy (TAE) at 60 and 240 deg/s. A 40-yard forward sprint was selected to assess sprint speed. A paired t-test analysis revealed mean values which were significantly less for PT at 60 deg/s, 240 deg/s, and TAE at 240 deg/s with the prophylactic knee brace applied during knee extension. Analysis also revealed slower times for sprint speed, while the subjects were wearing the prophylactic knee brace. Muscular strength (PT) and power (TAE) scores were not correlated with sprint speed. This study suggests that wearing the prophylactic knee brace may consequently inhibit muscular and functional performance of the athlete, but that specific population has yet to be studied. Verf.-Referat