SHORT-TERM EFFECT OF PROTECTIVE KNEE BRACE ON ANKLE AND KNEE JOINT CO-CONTRACTIONS IN PEOPLE WITH GENU VALGUM DURING JUMPING AND LANDING

Jumping and landing are important activities in performing sports movements that strongly affect muscle activity. People with Genu Valgum are prone to extensive damage to the knee joint due to structural changes. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of short-term use of protective knee brace on ankle and knee joint co-contractions in people with genu valgum during jumping and landing.

The present study was a quasi-experimental and laboratory study. 10 boys with genu valgum in the experimental group and 10 healthy boys who did not have any lower limb disorders were selected as the control group. The knee brace used was BeActive model 1031. Electrical activity of selected muscles was recorded by electromyography (Biometrics LTD, UK). For statistical analysis, SPSS V21 software and analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures were used at a significant level of P<0.05.

The results showed no significant difference between the pre-test and post-test of the genu valgum group (P = 0.063, t = 2.276). Examination of all general co-contractions of ankle joint in the control group who used knee brace showed a significant decrease in post-test during pre-test comparison (P = 0.001, t = 6.831).

According to the results of the research, it can be concluded that the decrease in co-contraction of the knee joint indicates a decrease in the simultaneous activity of the muscles supporting the knee joint. Probably, the knee brace has been able to play a supporting and protective role in the knee joint, and as a result, it has led to a decrease in the activity of the supporting muscles around the joint.