THE EFFECTS OF KNEE BRACING ON REACTIVE AGILITY PERFORMANCE AND EMG ACTIVITY IN HEALTHY SOCCER PLAYERS – A PILOT STUDY

Authors

James Fimognari, Lakehead UniversityFollow
Derek M. R. Kivi, Lakehead UniversityFollow
Carlos Zerpa, Lakehead UniversityFollow
Paolo Sanzo, Lakehead UniversityFollow

Category

Rehabilitation

Document Type

Paper

Abstract

This pilot study examined differences between braced and non-braced soccer players on measures of reactive agility time and electromyographic (EMG) activity of the gluteus medius (GM), biceps femoris (BF), and vastus lateralis (VL) muscles during the acceleration and change of direction phases of the Y-shaped reactive agility test. Twenty-four participants completed a Y-shaped reactive agility test under two conditions including wearing no knee brace and wearing a Playmaker II knee brace (DonJoy®, Lewisville, Texas) on their dominant leg. Although higher muscle activation was found in the GM and BF muscles during the change of direction phase compared to the acceleration phase, bracing did not statistically significantly affect agility time and EMG muscle activity. This outcome suggests that preventative bracing does not seem to hinder an athlete’s performance.

Recommended Citation

Fimognari, James; Kivi, Derek M. R.; Zerpa, Carlos; and Sanzo, Paolo (2023) "THE EFFECTS OF KNEE BRACING ON REACTIVE AGILITY PERFORMANCE AND EMG ACTIVITY IN HEALTHY SOCCER PLAYERS – A PILOT STUDY," ISBS Proceedings Archive: Vol. 41: Iss. 1, Article 33.
Available at: https://commons.nmu.edu/isbs/vol41/iss1/33