ANKLE BRACING'S EFFECT ON LOWER EXTREMITY ELECTROMYOGRAPHIC ACTIVITY AND VERTICAL GROUND REACTION FORCE DURING JUMP LANDINGS - PILOT STUDY RESULTS

Authors

Zachariah J. Henderson, Lakehead UniversityFollow
Paolo Sanzo, Lakehead UniversityFollow
Carlos Zerpa, Lakehead UniversityFollow

Category

Injury prevention

Document Type

Paper

Abstract

Ankle braces are often worn to prevent ankle injuries. Evidence supports their ability to prevent ankle injuries; however, the effects that ankle braces have on proximal biomechanics and injuries is unclear. This pilot study explored the effects of ankle braces on lower extremity electromyographic (EMG) activity and vertical ground reaction force (vGRF) during a jump landing. Ten healthy individuals completed 3 maximum vertical jumps under 3 bilateral conditions (no braces, softshell (AE) braces, and semi-rigid (T1) braces). Mean EMG activity and peak vGRF was recorded from the dominant leg at landing. No significant differences in lower extremity EMG activity or peak vGRF was present when wearing ankle braces. Trends exist in the data that warrant further investigation in a larger sample.

Recommended Citation

Henderson, Zachariah J.; Sanzo, Paolo; and Zerpa, Carlos (2018) "ANKLE BRACING'S EFFECT ON LOWER EXTREMITY ELECTROMYOGRAPHIC ACTIVITY AND VERTICAL GROUND REACTION FORCE DURING JUMP LANDINGS - PILOT STUDY RESULTS," ISBS Proceedings Archive: Vol. 36: Iss. 1, Article 119.
Available at: https://commons.nmu.edu/isbs/vol36/iss1/119