The effects of knee brace use on landing error, balance, and crossover hop test in healthy athletes

Objective: In this study, it was aimed to examine the effects of knee brace use on landing error after jumping, balance and crossover hop test (CHT) in healthy athletes. Methods: After recording the descriptive information of the healthy volunteer athletes and measuring the lower extremity joint range of motion, and the Q angle at the knee, participants were randomized. During the study, randomization was carried out as follows: those who did not use knee braces (Group Non ), those who used simple knee braces (Group Basic ) and those who used ligament-supported knee braces (Group Lig ). Y-balance test of lower extremity (YBTL), CHT, and landing error scoring after jumping were applied to the participants. Results: A total of 56 professional athletes (Group Non , n=19; Group Basic , n=19; Group Lig , n=18) participated in the study. Characteristics of the participants did not reveal any difference (p>0.05). Compared with the other two groups, lower hip extension range of motion was observed in Group Non (p˂0.05), and no difference was observed in other lower extremity descriptive data (p>0.05). Furthermore, comparing to the other two groups, a significant (p=0.014) increase was observed only in the velocity of CHT applied to the non-dominant extremity of Group Basic . No significant difference was observed in the other evaluated parameters (p>0.05). As a result of intra-group correlation analyses, different levels of relationship were determined between the landing results after the jumping and various biomechanical properties according to the choice of knee brace (p˂0.05). Conclusion: It would be appropriate to choose the knee brace to be used in healthy athletes by taking into account the biomechanical defining characteristics of the athlete.