Effects of Neuromuscular Taping on Fibularis Longus Latency Time and Postural Sway

Abstract

Elastic taping applied on lower limb muscle has been commonly used to improve the performance of lower extremities. It seems to improve muscle force, although little is known regarding its effect on muscle latency time and postural sway. PURPOSE: To test whether the application of neuromuscular tape on fibularis longus might facilitate muscle activity by decreasing latency time and postural sway in healthy subjects. METHODS: Twenty subjects were randomized into the experimental (n=10, age 22.4 ± 3.0 years) and control group (n=10, age 23.5 ± 6.3 years). Before and after the intervention, postural sway was assessed on a force plateform and fibularis longus latency time was recorded with surface electromyography during a sudden inversion perturbation. In the experimental group, the Neuromuscular Tape was applied from the origin to the insertion of the fibularis longus and then subjects rested with the tape applied during 20 minutes. The control group rested during the same period without neuromuscular tape. RESULTS: At baseline, no differences were found between groups regarding age, anthropometrics variables, postural sway and fibularis longus latency time. In the experimental group, the application of neuromuscular tape did not change postural sway (COPx 3.8 ± 0.7 to 3.8 ± 0.6 cm, p=0.989; COPy 3.0 ± 0.6 to 3.0 ± 0.5 cm, p=0.742; COP area 11.8 ± 4.5 to 11.6 ± 3.3 cm2, p=0.858, total COP oscilation 94.6 ± 25.0 to 90.1 ± 19.3 cm, p=0.0269, COP velocity 4.5 ± 1.2 to 4.3 ± 0.9 cm/s, p=0.265) or fibularis longus latency time (93.7 ± 15.0 to 89.9 ± 15.6 ms, p=0.102). No changes were observed in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Neuromuscular tape seems not to enhance fibularis longus latency time and postural sway in young subjects.