Abstract des Autors

The purpose of this study was to examine the possible differences in walking economy in 14 healthy subjects and 14 patients with an anterior ligament deficiency of the knee during treadmill walking, with or without a custom fitted CTI-2 knee brace. The subjects were tested before (test 1), during (test 2 and 3) and after (test 4) application of the knee brace for a period of four weeks. The tests consisted of a walking protocol on a motor-driven treadmill. The walking economy was established by measuring oxygen consumption. Heart rate and the ratings of perceived exertion using the Borg's scale were measured. Speed and stride frequencies at optimal gait speed were determined. During the third test a weight was attached to the knee to determine if possible effects were due to the weight of the brace only. No significant differences were found for the oxygen consumption between the four tests. Wearing the brace for one and 28 days showed a decrease in heart rate in the patient group. No changes in the rate of perceived exertion were seen in both groups over the four tests. No significant differences were found with regard to oxygen consumption and heart rate when the weight was attached to the knee in comparison to the braced and unbraced situation. Results of this study indicate that the CTI-2 knee brace did not influence optimal gait speed, stride length and walking economy with regard to oxygen consumption. The weight of the brace did not influence the walking economy of the subjects. Verf.-Referat