Disseny experimental

After wearing the brace for three months, there was no significant change (mean difference 0.14 Nm/kg, p=0.08) in the first peak of the EKAM in comparison to the shoe only at baseline, even though an average increase of 29.64% was found. Additionally, after wearing the brace for three months, there was no significant change (mean difference 0.10 Nm/kg, p=0.17) in the first peak of the EKAM in comparison to the brace baseline, even though an average increase of 18.41% was found. In addition, after wearing the brace for three months, there was no significant change (mean difference

0.16 Nm/kg, p=0.06) in the first peak of the EKAM between the shoe only at baseline and at three months, even though an average increase of 10.14% was found.

After wearing the brace for three months, there was no significant change (mean difference 0.04 Nm/kg, p=0.31) in the second peak of the EKAM in comparison to the shoe only at baseline, even though an average increase of 33.25% was found. Additionally, after wearing the brace for three months, there was no significant change (mean difference 0.04 Nm/kg, p=0.31) in the second peak of the EKAM in comparison to the brace baseline, even though an average increase of 33.31% was found. In addition, after wearing the brace for three months, there was no significant change (mean difference 0.04 Nm/kg, p=0.22) in the second peak of the EKAM between the shoe only at baseline and three months, even though an average increase of 32.92% was found. Descriptive data of EKAM results during descending are illustrated in figure 4-13 and table 4-9.

Table 4-9: Mean (SD) first and second peak of the EKAM during descent. Type Shoe Baseline Brace Baseline Brace Three Months Shoe Three Months EKAM 1 Mean (SD) (Nm/kg) 0.50 (0.22) 0.54(0.31) 0.64(0.46) 0.66(0.49) EKAM 2 Mean (SD) (Nm/kg) 0.12 (0.12) 0.12 (0.13) 0.16 (0.21) 0.16 (0.18)

4.3.3.2 The Knee adduction angular impulse (KAAI):

After wearing the brace for three months, there was no significant change (mean difference 0.05 Nm/kg*s, p=0.15) in the KAAI in comparison to the shoe only at baseline, even though an average decrease of 17.35 % was found. Additionally, after wearing the brace for three months, there was no significant change (mean difference 0 Nm/kg*s, p=0.97) in the KAAI in comparison to the brace baseline, even though an average decrease of 0.53% was found. In addition, after wearing the brace for three months, there was no significant change (mean difference 0.02 Nm/kg*s, p=0.58) in the KAAI between the shoe only at baseline and three months, even though an average decrease of 6.34% was found. Descriptive data of KAAI results during descending are illustrated in figure 4-14 and table 4-10

Table 4-10: Mean (SD) knee adduction angular impulse (KAAI) during descent.

Type Shoe Baseline Brace Baseline Brace Three Months Shoe Three Months KAAI Mean (SD) (Nm/kg)*s 0.26(0.16) 0.21 (0.15) 0.21 (0.19) 0.24 (0.20)

Figure 4-14: Knee adduction angular impulse (KAAI) of the four conditions during descent.

4.3.3.3 The Knee moment (sagittal plane):

After wearing the brace for three months, there was no significant change (mean difference 0.06 Nm/kg, p=0.22) in the maximum knee flexor moment in comparison to the shoe only at baseline, even though an average increase of 6.47 % was found. Additionally, after wearing the brace for three months, there was no significant change (mean difference 0.05 Nm/kg, p=0.36) in the maximum knee flexor moment in comparison to the brace baseline, even though an average increase of 4.75% was found. In addition, after wearing the brace for three months, there was no significant change (mean difference 0.07 Nm/kg, p=0.32) in the maximum knee flexor moment between the shoe only at baseline and at three months, even though an average increase of 8.24% was found.

After wearing the brace for three months, there was no significant change (mean difference 0.05Nm/kg, p=0.69) in the maximum knee extensor moment in comparison to the shoe only at baseline, even though an average increase of 19.75% was found. Additionally, after wearing the brace for three months, there was no significant change (mean difference 0.08 Nm/kg, p=0.32) in the maximum knee extensor moment in

comparison to the brace baseline, even though an average increase of 35.12% was found. In addition, after wearing the brace for three months, there was no significant change (mean difference 0.10 Nm/kg, p=0.57) in the maximum knee extensor moment between the shoe only at baseline and at three months, even though an average increase of 39.30% was found. Descriptive data of Sagittal plane knee moment results during descending are illustrated in figure 4-15 and table 4-11

Figure 4-15: Sagittal plane knee moment of the four conditions during descent. Table 4-11: Mean (SD) Sagittal plane knee moment during descent.

Type Shoe Baseline Brace Baseline Brace Three Months Shoe Three Months

Knee flexor mom. Mean (SD) (Nm/kg)

0.91(0.22) 0.92(0.22) 0.97(0.22) 0.98(0.26) Knee extensor mom. Mean (SD)

(Nm/kg)

-0.27(0.24) -0.24(0.25) -0.32(0.39) -0.37(0.55)

4.3.3.4 Vertical Ground Reaction Force (GRF)

At the early stage of stance phase, after wearing the brace for three months, there was a significant increase (mean difference 0.12 •BW, p=0.00) in the peak of GRF in comparison to the shoe only at baseline, with an average increase of 10.7 % was found.

Additionally, after wearing the brace for three months, there was a significant increase (mean difference 0.08 •BW, p=0.00) in the peak of GRF in comparison to the brace baseline, with an average increase of 6.8% was found. In addition, after wearing the brace for three months, there was a significant increase (mean difference 0.12 •BW, p=0.00) in the peak of GRF between the shoe only at baseline and at three months, with an average increase of 11.2% was found.

At mid stage, the Vertical Ground Reaction Force (GRF) did not change significantly (p>0.05) during descent.

At late stage, after wearing the brace for three months, there was a significant increase (mean difference 0.05 •BW, p=0.03) in the peak of GRF in comparison to the shoe only at baseline, with an average increase of 5.7 % was found. However, after wearing the brace for three months, there was no significant change (mean difference 0.01 •BW, p=0.19) in the peak of GRF in comparison to the brace baseline, even though an average increase of 1.4% was found. Additionally, after wearing the brace for three months, there was no significant change (mean difference 0.03 •BW, p=0.10) in the peak of GRF between the shoe only at baseline and at three months, even though an average increase of 3% was found. Descriptive data of GRF results during descending are illustrated in figure 4-16 and table 4-12.

Figure 4-16: The Ground reaction force (GRF) of the four conditions during descent. Table 4-12: Mean (SD) Ground reaction force (GRF) during descent.

Type Shoe Baseline Brace Baseline Brace Three Months Shoe Three Months Early stance GRF Mean (SD)(•BW) 1.10(0.18) 1.14 (0.17) 1.22(0.16) 1.22(0.17) Mid stance GRF Mean (SD)(•BW) 0.86(0.05) 0.88 (0.03) 0.88(0.04) 0.87(0.05) Late stance GRF Mean (SD)(•BW) 0.90(0.09) 0.93(0.04) 0.95(0.05) 0.92(0.06)