A potentiating support for an area of a body includes: a framework having
a surface for abutment with an area of a body including a hinge joint,
said framework defining a plurality of permanent openings in said
surface; and two strut members each attached to said framework such that
each said strut member spans the hinge joint when said framework is
disposed in abutment with the area of the body, said strut members
providing a measure of rigidity to said framework in the direction of
their respective lengths, each respective said strut member including an
intermediate portion thereof spanning the hinge joint that is expandable
and recoverable between a first initial state and extended states
wherein, when expanded to a said extended state during flexing of the
hinge joint, said respective strut member stores potential energy that is
released as kinetic energy upon its return to said initial state.