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

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 Powers™ 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 Powers™ 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 Powers™ strap. Three-dimensional 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 Powers™ strap significantly reduced hip and knee internal rotation throughout the stance phase of running. These results showed that the Powers™ 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 Powers™ strap in subjects who suffer from running related injuries, such as patellofemoral pain.