EFFECTS OF PROPHYLACTIC ANKLE DEVICES ON ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE

Abstract

139 Although ankle bracing may prevent injury, many athletes believe that braces restrict athletic performance and prefer taping. The objectives of this study were to determine whether taping or preformed ankle braces inhibit athletic performance immediately after application to both ankles and which of the ankle supports the athletes preferred. Nine student athletes (5 males, 4 females) were used in this study. The supports used were: none (control), cloth tape, McDavid 199, Rocket Soc and Omni Multi Phase. To determine the effect of bracing on athletic performance, three measures of athletic ability were used: a timed agility course, standing vertical jump and standing long jump. In addition, the athletes completed a questionnaire to rate the braces for: support, comfort, hindrance to performance and type of support for use in competition. The subjects were grouped according to gender. For the males, there were no significant differences from control during the agility course, standing vertical jump or standing long jump. For the females, there were no significant differences from control during the agility course and long jump. However, during the vertical jump there was a significantly shorter vertical jump with the McDavid 199 (p=0.032), Rocket Soc (p=0.010) and Omni Multi Phase(p=0.002). Combining the questionnaire results, both males and females, revealed that 78% of the athletes perceived tape as most supportive, 44% selected tape for comfort, 0% found tape to be a hindrance to athletic performance and 89% would wear tape during competition. Based on these results, the use of tape and the three bracing devices have no significant decrement in performance during a running agility course or during a standing long jump. This suggests that athletes should not avoid wearing ankle braces, during these types of activities, because of concern that athletic performance will decrease. There was however a statistically significant decrease during the vertical jump in the females with the preformed braces, suggesting a population specific effect.