Thirty-two Virginia Tech varsity football players
served as subjects to examine the effect of protective
knee braces on agility and selected isokinetic strength,
power, and endurance measures. Each subject performed
the Semo agility test in each of three experimental
conditions: braced with the Anderson knee stabler (B,An);
braced with the Arco knee guard (B—Ar); and
unbraced (Un). The order of agility tests was
randomized. The subjects were than administered a
Cybex knee extension/flexion test at 60 deg/sec and 300
deg/sec. Each subject performed the Cybex tests in each
of the three experimental conditions (B-An, B-Ar, and
Un). The order of Cybex tests was randomized. The test
protocol consisted of three maximal repetitions at 60
deg/sec and 40 maximal repetitions at 300 deg/sec. The
following isokinetic variables were recorded: (1) peak torque/body weight ratio of the quadriceps and
hamstrings at 60 deg/sec and 300 deg/sec; (2) average
range of motion for knee extension/flexion at 60 deg/sec
and 300 deg/sec; (3) average power, torque
acceleration energy, and endurance ratio of the
quadriceps and hamstrings at 300 deg/sec. Repeated
measures analysis of variance revealed no
significant difference (p > .05) in agility test scores
between the three experimental conditions. Repeated
measures analysis of variance also revealed no
significant difference (p > .05) in the isokinetic
responses of subjects as they were tested within the
three experimental conditions. The investigator
concluded that protective knee braces had no effect on
agility, isokinetic strength, power, and endurance.
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