Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Textiles, Apparel and Merchandising

Document Type

Dissertation

Abstract

Female athletes experience disproportionately high rates of knee injury, particularly anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, during sport movements that require landing, cutting, deceleration, and single-leg control. These injuries are shaped by anatomical, biomechanical, hormonal, and neuromuscular factors, but their consequences extend beyond physical damage. Many athletes also experience fear of re-injury, reduced confidence, and decreased trust in their bodies when returning to sport. While knee sleeves, braces, compression garments, and taping methods are commonly used for support and injury prevention, many existing products fail to meet female athletes’ needs for fit, comfort, mobility, secure placement, breathability, and trusted stabilization. This dissertation used a User-Centered Design approach to develop and evaluate a female-specific knee sleeve using three-dimensional printing (3DP) textile reinforcement to support knee stability while addressing psychological dimensions of athletic recovery and performance.

Guided by UCD, the Technology Acceptance Model, and the Health Belief Model, this research used a sequential mixed-methods design across three connected phases. Phase One examined female athletes’ knee injury experiences, prevention behaviors, fear of re-injury, current knee support use, adoption barriers, and desired product features. Athlete survey data and stakeholder interviews with clinicians and coaches established design requirements for a knee sleeve that was secure, comfortable, breathable, low-profile, supportive, and confidence-building. Phase Two translated these requirements into 3DP textile development. Samples were created using spandura, spandex, and scuba knit substrates; TPU, CF-PETG, and PLA printing materials; three reinforcement forms; and 30%, 60%, and 90% density levels. These samples were evaluated for adhesion, flexibility, tensile performance, and tactile comfort to determine which material systems were most appropriate for a functional knee sleeve prototype. Phase Three evaluated the final prototype through athlete wear testing using sport-related movements, including the drop vertical jump, single-leg squat, and air squat. Comfort, fit, perceived support, movement compatibility, and lower-extremity kinematics were assessed using athlete feedback and OpenCap movement analysis.

Together, the findings demonstrate how UCD can connect athlete experience, material testing, and movement evaluation within an inclusive sports product design process. This work contributes a female-specific 3DP knee sleeve prototype and a replicable framework for developing protective sports apparel that considers biomechanics, comfort, adoption, and psychological readiness.

Date

7-17-2026

Committee Chair

Casey Stannard

LSU Acknowledgement

1

LSU Accessibility Acknowledgment

1

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Available for download on Tuesday, July 17, 2029

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