Is this project an undergraduate, graduate, or faculty project?
Undergraduate
group
What campus are you from?
Daytona Beach
Authors' Class Standing
Cristina Velasquez, Junior
Lead Presenter's Name
Cristina Velasquez
Faculty Mentor Name
Victor Huayamave
Abstract
Engineered for athletes, by athletes, an ankle brace (SIQ Ankle Brace) was designed specifically for soccer players to limit inversion and eversion ankle sprains but allow natural range of motion. The current prevention methods are ineffective due to its bulkiness, restriction, and lack of comfort. Motions greater than 40º inversion and 10º eversion causes lateral and medial ankle sprains. The purpose of this project is to further develop and improve the SIQ Ankle Brace which is strategically designed to be thin and purposely allows natural range and movement while wearing soccer cleats. The idea is to test the ankle brace on both humans as well using a physical ankle model with ligaments. The human testing process includes strapping an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) sensor to the ankle while the kicking motion is performed towards a soccer ball as well cutting movements. The data collected through this process is the velocity and acceleration of the ankle both with and without the SIQ Ankle Brace. During the testing with the physical ankle model a torque will be applied to simulate twisting an ankle. The data collected will be comparing the angles and forces applied to the ankle model with and without the SIQ Ankle Brace. With this data, improvements to the ankle brace can be made through alterations of thickness, materials, and dimensions to meet design requirements.
Did this research project receive funding support from the Office of Undergraduate Research.
Yes, Ignite Grant
Additive Manufacturing for Dynamic Ankle Brace and Medical Devices
Engineered for athletes, by athletes, an ankle brace (SIQ Ankle Brace) was designed specifically for soccer players to limit inversion and eversion ankle sprains but allow natural range of motion. The current prevention methods are ineffective due to its bulkiness, restriction, and lack of comfort. Motions greater than 40º inversion and 10º eversion causes lateral and medial ankle sprains. The purpose of this project is to further develop and improve the SIQ Ankle Brace which is strategically designed to be thin and purposely allows natural range and movement while wearing soccer cleats. The idea is to test the ankle brace on both humans as well using a physical ankle model with ligaments. The human testing process includes strapping an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) sensor to the ankle while the kicking motion is performed towards a soccer ball as well cutting movements. The data collected through this process is the velocity and acceleration of the ankle both with and without the SIQ Ankle Brace. During the testing with the physical ankle model a torque will be applied to simulate twisting an ankle. The data collected will be comparing the angles and forces applied to the ankle model with and without the SIQ Ankle Brace. With this data, improvements to the ankle brace can be made through alterations of thickness, materials, and dimensions to meet design requirements.