Does the Powers™ strap influence the lower limb biomechanics during running?

Greuel, H; Herrington, LC; Liu, A; Jones, R

Abstract

Previous research has reported a prevalence of running related injuries in 25.9% to 72% of all runners. A greater hip internal rotation and adduction during the stance phase in running has been associated with many running related injuries, such as patellofemoral pain. Researchers
in the USA designed a treatment device 'the PowersTM strap' to facilitate an external rotation of the femur and to thereby control abnormal hip and knee motion during leisure and sport activities. However, to date no
literature exists to demonstrate whether the PowersTM strap is able to reduce hip internal rotation during running.
22 healthy participants, 11 males and 11 females (age: 27.45 ±4.43 years, height: 1.73 ± 0.06m, mass: 66.77 ±9.24kg) were asked to run on a 22m track under two conditions: without and with the PowersTM strap. Threedimensional motion analysis was conducted using ten Qualisys OQUS 7 cameras (Qualisys AB, Sweden) and force data was captured with three AMTI force plates (BP600900, Advanced Mechanical Technology, Inc.USA). Paired sample t-tests were performed at the 95% confidence interval on all lower limb kinematic and kinetic data.
The PowersTM strap significantly reduced hip and knee internal rotation throughout the stance phase of running. These results showed that the PowersTM strap has the potential to influence hip motion during running
related activities, in doing so this might be beneficial for patients with lower limb injuries. Future research should investigate the influence of the PowersTM strap in subjects who suffer from running related injuries, such as patellofemoral pain.

Citation

Greuel, H., Herrington, L., Liu, A., & Jones, R. (2017). Does the Powers™ strap influence the lower limb biomechanics during running?. Gait & Posture, 57, 141-146. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2017.06.001

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 2, 2017
• Online Publication Date: Jun 3, 2017
• Publication Date: Sep 1, 2017
• Deposit Date: Jun 2, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 3, 2018
• Journal: Gait & Posture
• Print ISSN: 0966-6362
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Volume: 57
• Pages: 141-146
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2017.06.001
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2017.06.001
• Related Public URLs: http://www.gaitposture.com/