Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2022, Vol. 26 ›› Issue (6): 832-837.doi: 10.12307/2022.161

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Kinematics characteristics of lower limb joints of young men running wearing knee pads

Shao Yangyang1, 2, Zhang Junxia1, 2, Jiang Meijiao1, 2, Liu Zelong1, 2, Gao Kun1, 2, Yu Shuhan1, 2   

  1. 1School of Mechanical Engineering, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300222, China; 2Tianjin Key Laboratory of Integrated Design and On-line Monitoring for Light Industry & Food Machinery and Equipment, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300222, China
  • Received:2021-01-05 Revised:2021-01-08 Accepted:2021-02-27 Online:2022-02-28 Published:2021-12-07
  • Contact: Zhang Junxia, MD, Professor, School of Mechanical Engineering, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300222, China; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Integrated Design and On-line Monitoring for Light Industry & Food Machinery and Equipment, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300222, China
  • About author:Shao Yangyang, Master, School of Mechanical Engineering, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300222, China; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Integrated Design and On-line Monitoring for Light Industry & Food Machinery and Equipment, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300222, China
  • Supported by:
    General Project of the National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 50975204 (to ZJX)

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Abstract: BACKGROUND: With the frequent occurrence of lower extremity sports injuries, people’s attention to the prevention of sports injuries continues to increase. A comprehensive understanding of the changes in the kinematic characteristics of the dominant and non-dominant lower limb joints when young men wear knee pads for running plays an important role in preventing lower extremity injuries.  
OBJECTIVE: To analyze the impact of knee pads on the knee, ankle, and hip joints, and make recommendations for healthy young people to choose knee pads to prevent joint injuries caused by sports from the perspective of kinematic characteristics.
METHODS:  Totally 15 healthy male subjects were recruited to run with three typical knee pads (patella belt, open type, sleeve type) on a specific experimental path. Infrared camera and biomechanics force plate equipment were used to collect knee, ankle, and hip joint kinematics data. Matlab and Minitab were utilized to process and analyze the kinematics data by writing specific programs.  
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Wearing an open knee pad significantly reduced the range of flexion and extension motion of the knee joint, significantly increased the range of ankle joint internal and external rotation motion, and significantly reduced the range of hip flexion and extension motion. (2) Wearing sleeve-type knee pads significantly reduced the range of knee joint internal rotation and external rotation movement, and significantly reduced the range of inversion and valgus movement of the dominant side ankle joint and the range of movement of internal and external rotation, and the flexion and extension range of the dominant hip joint. (3) It is concluded that wearing knee pads not only affects the knee joints, but also affects the ankle and hip joints. Wearing different types of knee pads has different effects on the ankle and hip joints on the dominant side and the non-dominant side. It is recommended that young people wear sleeve knee pads to prevent joint injuries.

Key words: knee pads, running, lower limbs, gait, knee joints, ankle joints, hip joints, dominant side, non-dominant side

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