Twenty Virginia Tech varsity football players, age 18-24, volunteered as subjects to examine the effects of wearing prophylatic knee sleeves/ braces on selected isokinetic measures (i.e. strength, power and endurance). Each subject performed the Biodex (Multi-Joint System 2AP) knee extension test in each of three experimental conditions: sleeved with the Don Joy Knee support (S-DJ); braced with the McDavid lateral knee support (B-MD); and the control, unsupported condition (C-UN). The order of experimental conditions and the specific knee tested were randomized. The subjects were administered a Biodex knee extension test at 60 deg/sec, 210 deg/sec, and 450 deg/sec. The test protocol consisted of five maximal repetitions at 60 deg/sec, twenty maximal repetitions at 210 deg/sec and thirty maximal repetitions at 450 deg/sec. The following isokinetic measures were recorded: (1) peak torque to body weight ratio at 60 deg/sec. (2) work to fatigue ratio at 210º and 450 deg/sec. (3) average power at 210º and 450 deg/sec, and (4) range of motion at 60º, 210º, and 450 deg/sec. One way repeated measures analysis of variance revealed significant difference ( p > .03 ) in peak torque to body weight ratio treatment groups; work to fatique ratio, average power and range of motion revealed no significant diference among the three experimental conditions. The investigator concluded that prophylatic knee sleeves/braces effects peak torque to body weight ratio; the effect of different levels of condition does not depend on what level of speed is present for work to fatigue, average power and range of motion. / Master of Science

Background: Osteoarthritis of the knee is a condition that can emerge without any known reason, though most commonly it is caused by previous damage to the anatomical structures inside the joint. The most common symptom is pain during rest and activity. Individuals diagnosed with osteoarthritis often experience difficulties with performing certain types of movements and activities due to pain. Aim: Based upon a qualitative inductive content analysis, the aim is to investigate on a subjective level how individuals diagnosed with medial osteoarthritis experience pain and function, in relation to brace usage. Method: This study is based on recorded semi structured open-ended interviews with three individuals diagnosed with medial osteoarthritis whom uses a knee brace or knee orthosis. Results: The study generated six sub-categories which created two main categories describing the experience of medial osteoarthritis by the individuals. The results showed experience of affected physical ability and adaptation to pain. Conclusion: Individuals diagnosed with medial osteoarthritis experience limitation in activity and ADL mostly due to pain, though decreased function of the knee joint seems to be a contributing factor to limitation as well. Using a knee brace eases pain to some degree and enable individuals to perform some activities in comparison to when not using a knee brace. These conclusions should be considered with caution since the number of individuals interviewed in this study is small and may not provide the same information as of a larger number of individuals with medial osteoarthritis.

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