Effects of Using Knee Savers on Lower Extremity Kinematics in Male Collegiate Baseball Catchers During Squatting

Abstract

Introduction:Baseball catchers often experience knee discomfort and pain, which are commonly attributed to prolonged deep squatting. Only one device on the market, knee savers, is described in its advertisements as able to decrease stress and discomfort in catchers' knees. Methods: We evaluated kinematic effects that knee savers have on the lower extremities during male collegiate baseball catchers' squats. Results: We found no significant differences in knee flexion angle during squatting with and without the use of knee savers. Further analysis revealed that players whose flexing was shallow-less than 140 degrees-tended to flex deeper with the use of knee savers, whereas players whose flexing was deep-greater than 143 degrees-generally flexed less while using knee savers. Discussion: Based on our findings, the purported benefits of knee savers have yet to find scientific validation and may represent only the placebo effect.

Are knee savers and knee pads a viable intervention to reduce lower extremity musculoskeletal disorder risk in residential roofers?

“…Several examples were observed wherein the inclusion of an intervention indeed reduced MSD risk caused by extreme posture by lessening the peak angle during that condition, which was different than what was observed in the previously KS studies (Gray et al, 2015;Stone et al, 2014a;Stone et al, 2017;Stone et al, 2014b). For example, knee flexion angle was about the same for all three sloped conditions, however the presence of a single intervention-KP or KS-caused a reduction in deep knee flexion during resting compared to no intervention.…”

“…These studies did not find any significant change in lower extremity sagittal plane knee kinematics with and without the KS. Another study compared deep and shallow flexing baseball catchers and indicated that the use of KS will decrease knee flexion in deep flexing catchers, albeit not statistically significantly (Gray et al, 2015). On the surface, it might seem KS would not be a beneficial intervention for any work place environment which uses kneeling, however, there are several things to consider.…”