Vulkan Works with UCLAN for Stability Study Including Thermal Imaging

The Effect of the Vulkan Neoprene Sleeve on a Slow and Fast Eccentric Control

Earlier this year the Vulkan team carried out a study in conjunction with Biomechanics experts from the University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN) to assess the level of control and stability provided by the Vulkan Neoprene Knee Support. Thermal imaging tests were used to highlight the increase in temperature whilst using the support. This in turn would lead to increased blood flow and faster injury recovery. The study also found that the support had a significant effect on the control of the knee, vital for injury prevention. Read the full study below.

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of the Vulkan neoprene sleeve on the three-dimensional control of the knee during an eccentric single limb dip and a single limb vertical jump.

A reduction in the range of motion in both the coronal and transverse planes was seen in the subjects, but in particular subject 1 who had known poor proprioception. The neoprene sleeve showed an improvement in the control of the knee during the single limb dip and/or landing phase of the single limb vertical jump in comparison to not wearing the sleeve in all subjects. The sleeve showed a clinically significant heat retention which could be one of the factors responsible for an increase properioception (joint postion sense) which could help both the slow and fast eccentric control of the knee joint during these tasks.

Aim 1

To investigate whether the Vulkan neoprene sleeve changes the three dimensional control of the knee when compared to not wearing the sleeve.

Aim 2

To determine the heat retentive properties of the sleeve over a short period of exercise.

Data Analysis

Figure 1
Movement (kinematic) data were collected using a 10 camera ProReflex MCU240 motion analysis system (Qualisys medical AB, Gothenburg, Sweden) at 100 Hz. Reflective markers were placed on the foot, shank and thigh using the Calibrated Anatomical System Technique. Raw kinematic and kinetic data were exported to Visual 3D (CMotion Inc., USA). Kinematic data were filtered using fourth order Butterworth filters with cut off frequencies of 6 and 15 Hz for the two movement tasks, respectively.

Reflective markers were placed on the foot, shank and thigh for both, Figure 2. All testing took place in the movement analysis laboratory in Brook Building, Figure 1.

Figure 2

Results: Thermal Imaging

The skin surface temperature (Tsk) was reduced during the acclimatisation period between the baseline measurement and the pre testing measurement; this reduction is expected due to the cooling effect of exposing the skin to the ambient air temperature when changing from trousers to shorts ready for testing. It is interesting to note that following testing Tsk rises and exceeds the baseline in two out of the three subjects and rises to an equal level in the third subject.

Tsk measurements for three subjects right knee wearing Vulkan neoprene sleeve

There was an unusual slight rise in Tsk of subject 2 between the base line and pre testing during the acclimatisation period. However, the main feature of interest is that in contrast to earlier findings, all of the subjects post testing have a Tsk which is below that of the baseline measure.

Tsk measurements for three subjects left knee not wearing Vulkan neoprene sleeve

From these data we can suggest that the knees in subjects completing the testing with the Vulkan neoprene sleeve in place experience a greater rise in Tsk compared to the contralateral knee. As the exercises were performed bilaterally the observed rise in Tsk cannot be explained solely by the activity. The increased Tsk must therefore be explained by the wearing of the Vulkan neoprene sleeve.

Discussion

The aim of the sleeve is improve the control of the knee joint. The overall reduction in the range of motion about the knee can infer an improvement in joint control. Further evidence for improvement in control may be seen from the reduction of rate of oscillations of the coronal and transverse plane movements of the knee.

There are two possible explanations of the improved control of the knee joint: neuromotor and mechanical. Both of these could be attributed to the sleeve. The sleeve’s area of coverage and heat retention may cause additional cutaneous stimulation which may be considered a significant factor in enhancing neuromotor control.

Conclusion

This study showed that Vulkan neoprene sleeve had a clinically significant effect on the coronal and torsional mechanics of the knee. Good eccentric control is vital for injury prevention, therefore it is possible to suggest the mechanism of the use of such a sleeve for this purpose.

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