Balance Control Following Muscle Fatigue Among Individuals With Chronic Ankle Instability And The Effect Of Kinesiotape

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic ankle instability is thought to be related to sensorimotor deficits including decreased proprioception, strength, neuromuscular and postural control. Muscle fatigue also affects joint proprioception and kinesthetic properties. Despite the frequent clinical use of kinesiotape for athletic injuries, controversy remains regarding its ability to enhance muscle activity and performance. PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of kinesiotape on dynamic stability following ankle muscle fatigue among individuals with chronic ankle instability. METHODS: Participants included 10 males and 10 females with a mean age of 24.9±2.6 years, with chronic ankle instability defined as score ≤27 in the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool questionnaire and unable to conduct a single leg stance test with eyes closed for 30 seconds. Participants were tested under three conditions in random order: Kinesiotape, non-elastic sport tape and no tape pre- and post- fatigue of the ankle muscles. Fatigue was induced in ankle invertor and evertor muscles using an isokinetic apparatus. Activity of the fibularis muscle was recorded using one channel vibromyography (VMG, Biopac System, Inc. MP 150), dynamic balance and neuromuscular control was assessed using the Y Balance test. Friedman tests were conducted to evaluate differences between groups and conditions. RESULTS: Following fatigue, there were similar significant decreases in the VMG in all groups (p<0.01). No significant difference in dynamic balance test scores was found between the pre- and post- fatigue condition for each group and between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Kinesiotape had no significant effects on dynamic balance and muscle activity following ankle muscle fatigue among individuals with chronic ankle instability.