Spring Loaded Technology releases the results of a recent study suggesting that users of its Levitation compact bionic knee brace demonstrated a significant reduction in the factors that could lead to muscle fatigue, compared to not wearing the brace.

In the study, researchers measured the oxygen intake, carbon dioxide production, and muscle activity of three healthy individuals as they performed a squat to stand task with and without the use of the knee brace. They note that the participants used 25% less oxygen, and produced 40% less carbon dioxide, when performing tasks wearing the brace compared to without, according to a media release from the Burnside, Nova Scotia, Canada-headquartered company.

“With the knee brace’s assistance, participants consumed less energy and were able to do more physical activity as measured with our squat test,” says Dr Chris McGibbon, part of the Faculty of Kinesiology at the University of New Brunswick, where the study was performed through the NSERC Engage program, per the release.

“The participants in this study also demonstrated a reduced respiratory exchange ratio (RER) while wearing the Levitation, meaning that they were burning more fat stores than carbohydrates. These findings are consistent with Spring Loaded Technology’s claim that Levitation reduces factors known to be associated with muscle fatigue,” McGibbon adds.

Abeer Mohamed Abdelhady, PhD Candidate in the university’s Dept of Mechanical Engineering, assisted McGibbon in the study.

In addition, per the release, study participants showed an 85% reduction of activity in the quadriceps muscles and a 50% reduction of activity in the hamstring muscles during the squat task, and were able to perform up to 20% more squats when wearing the brace compared to the number achieved without brace assistance.

The company notes that the study data was achieved via the Levitation brace adjusted at the maximum assistance level. A feature of the brace is that it can be adjustable to provide assistance based on the user’s specific needs.

“Levitation was designed to go above and beyond joint stabilization to assist strength and reduce fatigue. The result is a product intended to enhance mobility and expedite rehabilitation,” states Chris Cowper-Smith, CEO at Spring Loaded Technology, in the release.

[Source: Spring Loaded Technology]