TY - JOUR
T1 - Impact of wearable resistance training on knee and ankle joint biomechanics
T2 - enhancing change of direction ability in football athletes
AU - Qu, Xiuye
AU - Xu, Datao
AU - Zhang, Zanni
AU - Yang, Xiaowei
AU - Ugbolue, Ukadike Chris
AU - Gusztav, Fekete
AU - Zhou, Huiyu
AU - Gu, Yaodong
PY - 2026/1/20
Y1 - 2026/1/20
N2 - This study aimed to examine the effects of wearable resistance (WR) training on change of direction ability (CODA), muscle activation patterns, and knee joint stress in athletes. Fifteen healthy male football players participated in a pre- and post-training intervention designed to target the quadriceps, hamstrings, and calf muscles to improve neuromuscular control and joint stability. Surface electromyography (EMG) was used to assess muscle activation, and finite element analysis (FEA) was applied to evaluate stress distribution in the knee joint. Following the WR training program, there was a significant reduction in knee abduction angle during the stance phase (p = 0.001), indicating enhanced joint stability. Strength in the calf muscles increased significantly, while muscle activation levels in the quadriceps (p < 0.001) and hamstrings (p = 0.007) were also elevated. Enhanced co-activation between quadriceps and hamstrings was observed, and FEA demonstrated a significant decrease in the maximal von Mises stress in the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and meniscus. These findings suggest that WR training improves CODA and lower limb muscle coordination while reducing internal knee joint stress, potentially lowering the risk of ACL injuries and enhancing athletic performance.
AB - This study aimed to examine the effects of wearable resistance (WR) training on change of direction ability (CODA), muscle activation patterns, and knee joint stress in athletes. Fifteen healthy male football players participated in a pre- and post-training intervention designed to target the quadriceps, hamstrings, and calf muscles to improve neuromuscular control and joint stability. Surface electromyography (EMG) was used to assess muscle activation, and finite element analysis (FEA) was applied to evaluate stress distribution in the knee joint. Following the WR training program, there was a significant reduction in knee abduction angle during the stance phase (p = 0.001), indicating enhanced joint stability. Strength in the calf muscles increased significantly, while muscle activation levels in the quadriceps (p < 0.001) and hamstrings (p = 0.007) were also elevated. Enhanced co-activation between quadriceps and hamstrings was observed, and FEA demonstrated a significant decrease in the maximal von Mises stress in the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and meniscus. These findings suggest that WR training improves CODA and lower limb muscle coordination while reducing internal knee joint stress, potentially lowering the risk of ACL injuries and enhancing athletic performance.
KW - vutting manoeuvre biomechanics
KW - wearable resistance training
KW - lower limb biomechanics
KW - muscle activation
KW - mechanical stress distribution
KW - soccer
KW - football
U2 - 10.1177/17543371251412187
DO - 10.1177/17543371251412187
M3 - Article
SN - 1754-3371
JO - Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part P: Journal of Sports Engineering and Technology
JF - Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part P: Journal of Sports Engineering and Technology
ER -