Author(s): CHEN, J., WANG, Q.R., LI, Y.Z., WANG, W., WANG, D., Institution: SHANGHAI UNIVERSITY OF SPORT, Country: CHINA, Abstract-ID: 1020

INTRODUCTION:
Epidemiological data reveal that knee injuries constitutes 53% of all lower limb injuries among Chinese elite boxers, with an incidence rate of 80.9% in athletes at national level one and above. The boxing technique requires the rotation inward of knees to enhance the range of motion and power in each striking. However, this abnormal knee position leads to knee injuries and causes knee pain. Recovery from knee injuries typically spans approximately 21 days. Nonetheless, due to the systematic and protracted nature of training, athletes often struggle to get adequate rest to recover and treatment after an injury, which may ultimately result in chronic knee pain (CKP). CKP refers to knee pain that persists for more than three months. Its primary symptom is pain, which can partially impede athletes ability to compete and train normally, thus negatively influencing performance and decreasing training motivation. Floss band are a novel tool for managing injuries, functioning primarily through the application of compressive force to muscles and joints to improve function and promote recovery. Current research on floss band mainly focuses on long-term interventions. Very few studies used floss band specifically targeting at the immediate release of knee joint pain. Therefore, this study was to investigate the acute effect of floss band on boxers with CKP.
METHODS:
Nine boxers (6 males: 19.3±1.6 y, 183.5±11.4 cm, 78.7±22.1 kg, trained for 3.4±1.4 y, suffering from CKP for 15.8±7.1 month; 3 females: 18.0±0.0 y, 168.8±6.8 cm, 57.2±8.7 kg, trained for 3.0±1.0 y, suffering from CKP for 9.7±5.9 month) were recruited from a provincial boxing team. After 5-minute jog and 5-minute dynamic stretching of warm-up, visual analogue scale (VAS) of knee joint pain, Lysholm knee joint function score, range of motion (ROM) of knee joint flexion, maximal isometric muscle strength of knee joint extensors and knee joint stability were measured pre- and post- intervention (a 3-minute floss band intervention with the pressure ranged 150mmHg ± 10mmHg).
RESULTS:
After acute intervention of floss band, score of knee pain in boxers with CKP decreased from 4.9 (2.7, 6.0) to 2.9 (1.9, 3.5) (Z = 2.668, P = 0.008); the Lysholm knee joint function score increased from 68.2 ± 14.0 to 77.4 ± 10.2 (t = 3.530, P = 0.008); knee joint range of motion increased from 117.4 ± 7.6° to 123.7 ± 6.0°(t = 4.094, P = 0.003); the maximal isometric muscle strength of knee extensors increased from 40.7 ± 12.3 kg to 50.2 ± 14.4 kg (t = 6.070, P < 0.001); and the knee joint stability increased from 15.2 (9.2, 73.0) s to 31.4 (17.5, 78.1) s (Z = 2.310, P = 0.021).
CONCLUSION:
Acute intervention of floss band in boxers with CKP can significantly release the pain, reduce knee joint pain, improve Lysholm knee joint function score, increase ROM of knee joint flexion, increase maximal isometric muscle strength of knee joint extensors and enhance knee joint stability.