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A novel prophylactic Chinese parachute ankle brace
Xi Zhou1, Di Wu1, Xiangdong Wu1
1Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
Annals of Translational Medicine
|March 12, 2021
Summary
The novel Chinese parachute ankle brace (CPAB) effectively restricted ankle motion during landings, offering superior comfort and reliability for paratroopers compared to other braces. This prophylactic ankle brace is a promising option for parachute jumping and training.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Sports Medicine
- Orthopedics
Background:
- Parachute landings pose risks of ankle injuries.
- Novel prophylactic ankle braces aim to mitigate these risks.
- Biomechanical assessment is crucial for evaluating brace efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the biomechanical effects of a novel Chinese parachute ankle brace (CPAB) against two standard braces during half-squat parachute landings (HSPL).
- To assess the impact of different dropping heights on ankle joint parameters.
Main Methods:
- Twenty elite paratroopers participated in four conditions: no brace, elastic brace, semi-rigid brace, and CPAB.
- Participants performed jumps from 40, 80, and 120 cm platforms, landing in a half-squat posture.
- Vertical ground reaction forces (vGRFs), joint angles, moments, powers, and works were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Higher dropping heights significantly increased most biomechanical parameters.
- All tested braces reduced time to peak vGRF and restricted sagittal and coronal plane motion.
- CPAB and semi-rigid braces demonstrated superior restriction of dorsiflexion and inversion, significantly reducing ankle work and peak power at 120 cm.
- Participant-reported comfort scores were highest for CPAB.
Conclusions:
- The CPAB demonstrated superior effectiveness in restricting ankle motion compared to elastic and semi-rigid braces.
- CPAB offers advantages in appearance, efficiency, and comfort.
- CPAB presents a reliable prophylactic option for parachute jumping and training.
