Term 2 Flashcards
when would an athlete consider using an assistive device?
Pre-injury prevention
After injury or surgery as rehabilitation and re-injury prevention
Common forms of assistive devices:
Bracing
Taping
Footwear/ Orthotics
Wheelchairs/ Prosthetics
Name the four knee brace designs
Upright- Double/ Single
Tibia straps- Prevent A/P motion
Hinge- Single-axis, Dual-axis or polycentric hinges
Upper- Encircle thigh and calf
What is a prophylactic knee brace used for?
To protect the knee from valgus injuries
Support the cruciate ligament through rotational stress
Used in contact sports
Effectiveness of prophylactic knee braces?
Effectively reduce injuries in some longitudinal studies, but have been associated with a decrease in performance
What is a functional knee brace used for?
Provide stability for unstable knee- used after torn ACL or post reconstruction
Typically double hinged upright
Effectiveness of functional knee brace?
Conflicting- can provide mechanical and preconceptive movements, bu has questionable generalisabiltiy to functional activities
Risks/Negatives of knee bracing:
Ligament preloading- there is an increase in static MCL/ LCL strain
Joint line contact- Contact of brace to knee concentrates forces rather than allowing broader distrobution
Centre axis shift- Braces shift central point of joint leading to excess stress on ligaments
Findings on knee taping:
effectively alleviates patellofemoral pain symptoms
Only subjects with already poor proprioception benefited regarding proprio aid
The 3 main types of ankle braces are:
Semi-rigid plastic
Lace-up fabric
Neoprene
Findings on ankle braces:
Reduce contact-related injuries but no change in incidence of non contact
Benefits and limitations of ankle taping:
+ves:
Reduced ROM alleviates stress on damages tissue
Improved proprioception
-ves:
Incorrect taping associated with inversion ankle injuries
Tape loses 50% of original supporting strength after 10-20 minutes
Name the types of walking aids:
Canes- improve stability, generate a moment, reduce limb loading
Crutches- Can transmit forces in the horizontal plane
Frames- Stability, Vertical and horizontal forces
Function of foot orphotics:
To adjust abnormal/irregular walking patterns
Comfort and efficiency
How can foot orphotics influence comfort and efficiency?
By altering the angle at which the foot strikes the ground
Name the 3 categories of foot orphotics:
Adjusting/Controlling foot function
Protective
Combination
Sport shoes must be designed to:
Improve performance- midsole energy return
Reduce injury- reduce impact forces
What is the purpose of sports equipment?
To modify the influence of the environment on the sports performer
Give some examples of sports equipment
Striking objects Protective equipment Sport and exercise clothing Sport surfaces Footwear-surface interface
What is meant by compliance regarding sports surfaces?
Flexibility- relates to deformation under load- how the surface can adopt to external change
Stiffer surfaces= increased performance but also increased injury risk
Non compliant= increased impact loading
Excessively compliant= high fatigue
What is meant by resilience regarding sports surfaces?
R=e2- the energy absorbed and then returned to the striking object
Lack of resistance= fatigue
Name the important impact variables for sports surfaces
Peak impact force (N)
Peak verticle loading rate (N/s)
Equation for loading rate:
Loading rate (N/s) = Impact peak force (N)/ time to impact (s)
Implications of hard vs artificial ground:
Hard ground:
increased incidence of tendon injuries
Inflamation of calf muscles
Microfractures- lead to reduction in shock absorbing capacity, so more demand on cartilage
Synthetic ground:
Reduce/ Eliminate sliding, higher resistance to rotation
200% increase in injury on tennis courts with reduced sliding
Severe friction burns
How can surface inclination effect injury risk?
Uphill running- greater stress on ankle plantar flexors and patella ligament
Downhill running- longer stride length= greater impact force and strain on anterior thigh muscles
What was Nigg (1993)’s finding on running shoes?
Sport shoes can alter forces in biological tissues by over 100%