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2022, Vol. 26 ›› Issue (17): 2749-2755Effects of knee sleeve on perceived pain and lower extremity kinematics and kinetics in male and female runners with patellofemoral painYang Chen1, Feng Ru1, Zhou Zhipeng2, Wan Xianglin3, Qu Feng3
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Knee sleeve is generally applied to prevent and treat patellofemoral pain in runners, while the intervention effects are still unclear. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of knee sleeve on perceived pain, lower extremity kinematics and kinetics in runners of different sexes with patellofemoral pain. METHODS: Eleven male and nine female runners with patellofemoral pain were recruited as the participants. Each participant performed the biomechanical tests with and without a patellar-stabilizing knee sleeve. Perceived pain was evaluated by a visual analogue scale. Kinematics and kinetics data during running were collected using a motion capture system and synchronized force platforms. The study protocol was approved by the Sports Science Experimental Ethics Committee of Beijing Sport University, with an approval No. 2020021H. All the participants were volunteers for this trial and fully informed of the trial process. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: When running with a knee sleeve, visual analogue scale scores were lower than those without a knee sleeve in both males and females (P < 0.01). When running with a knee sleeve, peak knee flexion angle in the landing phase was less than that without a knee sleeve in females (P < 0.01); however, there was no significant difference in males with or without a knee sleeve (P > 0.05). When running with a knee sleeve, peak hip adduction angle in the landing phase was less than that without a knee sleeve in both males and females (P < 0.01). When running with a knee sleeve, peak knee abduction (P < 0.01) and external rotation moments (P < 0.01) in the landing phase were higher than those without a knee sleeve in both males and females. In conclusion, the use of knee sleeve can alleviate perceived pain in both male and female runners who suffer from patellofemoral pain; reduce the peak knee flexion angle and hip adduction angle in female runners with patellofemoral pain, and reduce the peak hip adduction angle in male runners with patellofemoral pain, indicating a sex-specific effect of knee sleeve on lower extremity kinematics; and increase the peak knee abduction and external rotation moments in both male and female runners with patellofemoral pain, indicating the use of knee sleeve may increase the knee joint loading. Key words:running knee, knee pain, patellofemoral joint, sports equipment, movement pattern, kinematics, kinetics, sex difference |