crease in quadriceps activity found during the subjects' stance phase could have a protective effect on the unstable knee due to the increased activity of muscles that work synergistically with the ACL to control ante rior tibial translation. The reduced activity of antagonist muscles could enhance this effect. Bracing did not alter the relative EMG activity nor did it change firing patterns compared to the unbraced situation. All muscles showed a similar reduction in activity, suggesting that these braces did not have a proprioceptive influence.
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