BACKGROUND: Previous studies have indicated that wearing a patellofemoral brace during strenuous training resulted in a decreased incidence of anterior knee pain (AKP). However whether this effect is derived from quadriceps enhancement remains unknown. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled clinical trial. METHODS: Ninety-eight military recruits, 35 with brace and 63 without, underwent concentric isokinetic tests at 60 and 240 degree/s of the quadriceps prior to and following a 6-week basic military training (BMT). The randomly selected 35 subjects 'with brace' received a pair of patellofemoral braces (On-Track, DJ Ortho) and were instructed to wear these braces throughout training. RESULTS: Baseline strength characteristics of the quadriceps were not significantly different between the braced and non-braced group (p > 0.05). No significant time-effect was observed in the braced group. There was a significant decrease in quadriceps strength at 60 degree/s after BMT in the non-braced subjects (p < 0.001) while at this speed these subjects had a significantly (p = 0.02) lower strength compared to their non-braced counterparts. CONCLUSION: Patellofemoral bracing may be effective in preventing a decrease in quadriceps strength after prolonged strenuous training.

Full text (sometimes free) may be available at these link(s):      help

• DOI
• PDF locator
• publisher