Biomechanical Trade-Offs in Knee Brace Stiffness: Dynamic Stability During Single-Leg Lateral Landings in Young Males

This study investigated the effects of knee braces with differing stiffness on in vivo knee kinematics and neuromuscular control during single-leg lateral landings. 14 healthy males performed landings under three conditions: no brace (Control), low-stiffness (Type-1), and high-stiffness (Type-2). Kinematics were quantified via dual fluoroscopic imaging, and sEMG recorded seven lower-limb muscles. Brace mechanics were assessed via three-point bending. Statistical analysis used repeated-measures ANOVA (α = 0.05). Kinematically, neither brace restricted knee flexion. Both significantly reduced varus angle (Type-1: 27-100% stance, ${p} = 0.043$ ; Type-2: 60-100% stance, ${p} = 0.033$ ), and Type-2 also lowered…

• NS
  Natural Science Foundation of Ningbo

  Award: 2022J065
• NK
  National Key Research and Development Program of China

  Award: 2024YFC3607305
• KC
  K. C. Wong Magna Fund in Ningbo University