Effects of prophylactic knee bracing on knee joint kinetics and kinematics during netball specific movements.

Objective: To investigate the effects of a prophylactic knee brace on knee joint kinetics and kinematics during netball specific movements.

Design: Repeated measures.

Setting: Laboratory.

Participants: Twenty university first team level female netball players.

Outcome Measurements: Participants performed three movements, run, cut and vertical jump under two conditions (brace and no-brace). 3-D knee joint kinetics and kinematics were measured using an eight-camera motion analysis system. Knee joint kinetics and kinematics were examined using 2 × 3 repeated measures ANOVA whilst the subjective ratings of comfort and stability were investigated using chi-squared tests.

Results: The results showed no differences (p > 0.05) in knee joint kinetics. However the internal/external rotation range of motion was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced when wearing the brace in all movements. The subjective ratings of stability revealed that netballers felt that the knee brace improved knee stability in all movements.

Conclusions: Further study is required to determine whether reductions in transverse plane knee range of motion serve to attenuate the risk from injury in netballers.