The effect of fresh and used ankle taping on lower limb biomechanics in sports specific movements

Abstract

ObjectivesThis study aimed to investigate the effects of ankle taping on lower extremity joint kinetics and kinematics related to injury development and how these effects change after sports-specific use of the tape. DesignRandomized, repeated measures design with three conditions: Barefoot, tape applied fresh, and tape after sports-specific use with sex as a between-subject factor. MethodsTwenty-five healthy participants (ten female) performed sports-specific movements, including running, drop jumping, and 180° change of direction, under the three conditions. Kinetic and kinematic data were collected using 3D motion capturing and force platforms. ResultsTape applied fresh and tape after sports-specific use significantly reduced peak ankle inversion during sports-specific movements. Biomechanical risk factors for anterior cruciate ligament or running overuse injuries were either unchanged or decreased with tape applied fresh, with the exception of the peak loading rate of the resultant ground reaction force, which increased between 4 % and 18 % between movement types. After 15 min of sports-specific use of the tape, the alterations induced by tape applied fresh remained for some biomechanical risk factors while they became closer to barefoot again for others, indicating a differential response to prolonged use of taping for different biomechanical variables. ConclusionsAnkle taping protects the ankle joint by reducing biomechanical risk factors associated with ankle sprains and most biomechanical risk factors for anterior cruciate ligament or running overuse injuries are not increased. Further research is needed to explore the duration of protective effects, variations across different sports, and its impact on patients with chronic ankle instability, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of ankle taping's influence on lower extremity biomechanics.