Effect of Achilles Tendon taping on parameters of gait in asymptomatic-overweight and obese individuals

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Overweight and obesity affect gait variables such as cadence, step length, stride length, and Achilles tendon deterioration. Rigid Achilles tendon Taping reduces stress and enhances joint stability and can be employed as external support during gait training to modify gait parameters. OBJECTIVE: To find out whether taping modifies gait patterns with increasing weight. METHODS AND MATERIALS: 40 subjects were recruited (20 overweight and 20 obese) whose step length, stride length, and cadence were measured before and after rigid Achilles tendon taping. Each person completed the 10-meter walk test using Gait Analyzer application. RESULTS: The Shapiro-Wilk test is used to assess the normality of the data. Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test is used for within-group differences. Within-group differences were significant in gait parameters p<0.05 (Step length p<0.001, Stride length p<0.001 and cadence p=0.009). CONCLUSION: Rigid Achilles tendon taping have a similar effect on gait parameters in overweight and obese individuals. After taping, there was a significant difference in terms of stride length, step length and cadence in the study population before and after Achilles taping. This implies that regardless of body weight, the tape intervention affects gait mechanics in a comparable way and is intended to prevent excessive joint motion, provide proprioceptive input during activities, and lessen discomfort.