Augmented low-Dye Research Articles

Acute effects of athletic taping on arch deformity and plantar pressure in young female adults with flexible flatfoot

ObjectiveThis work aimed to explore the acute effects of athletic taping techniques on foot arch deformity and plantar pressure in young female adults with flexible flatfoot (FFT). MethodsTwenty young female adults with FFT were recruited in the current study. Each participant was randomly divided into two taping groups, namely, augmented low-dye (ALD) and modified low-dye (MLD). The foot arch deformity and plantar pressure were measured at baseline, after taping and after 20 min of walking. The foot arch deformity was determined based on navicular drop distance (NDD) and resting calcaneal stance position (RCSP). ResultsCompared with baseline, the NDD values were significantly lower after taping. After 20 min of walking, ALD taping resulted in a lower NDD value than MLD (p < 0.001). ALD maintained a higher RCSP than baseline after 20 min of walking (p = 0.004). Furthermore, compared with baseline, medial midfoot force–time integration (p = 0.013) and contact area (p = 0.022) increased after taping with MLD, and peak pressure in the medial midfoot increased after walking for 20 min with MLD (p = 0.026). Peak pressure in the second to fifth toes significantly decreased after 20 min of walking with ALD compared with that after taping immediately (p = 0.002). ConclusionsALD and MLD taping could improve FFT arch deformity and plantar pressure distribution, prospectively changing peak pressure of the second to fifth toe area and medial midfoot after 20 min of walking, integrated contact area and force–time integration medial midfoot during walking in young female adults. Furthermore, ALD taping could improve FFT deformity more than using MLD after 20 min of walking. Thus, when treating FFT in young female adults, ALD taping should be considered adaptively to guide arch support production and correct midfoot pronation.

Effects of taping techniques on arch deformation in adults with pes planus: A meta-analysis.

To investigate effects of taping techniques on arch deformation in adults with pes planus. The following databases were searched up to March 2020, including Web of Science, Pubmed, EBSCO, CNKI and Cochrane Library. Heterogeneity and publication bias were assessed by I2 index and funnel plots, respectively. In addition, Cochrane scale was used to evaluate the quality of research. Navicular height for three antipronation taping techniques significantly increased immediately post tape compared with baseline (mean difference = 4.86 mm, 95% CI = 2.86-6.87 mm, Z = 4.75, p < 0.001). The highest increase was observed in Augmented low-Dye (ALD). Modified low-Dye (MLD) was second only to ALD (p<0.001). Navicular height after walking for 10 min was much higher than baseline (p<0.001), with MLD decreased smaller than ALD. ALD was the most effective taping technique for controlling foot arch collapse immediately post tape compared with baseline, followed by MLD. By contrast, MLD could possibly performed better than ALD in maintaining immediate navicular height after walking for 10 min. Low-Dye could make resting calcaneal stance position closer to neutral position. Although positive effects of Navicular sling, low-Dye and Double X taping interventions were observed, they could not maintain this immediate navicular height effect after a period of higher intensity weight-bearing exercise.

Comparison of Two Taping Techniques on Navicular Drop and Center-of-Pressure Measurements During Stance

This study examined the eff ectiveness of an antipronation spiral stirrup (APSS) taping technique, compared with the augmented low-Dye (ALD) technique, in controlling navicular drop (ND) and producing a lateral shift in the center-of-pressure (COP) line during the stance phase of gait. Twenty college volunteers participated in a crossover design, testing 2 taping techniques across 3 conditions. Repeated measures analysis of variance revealed that the APSS technique produced signifi cantly less ND, compared with the ALD technique, at the pre(P .05) and postexercise (P .05) conditions. The APSS technique produced signifi cantly less ND than the barefoot condition at preand postexercise (P .01) conditions. A signifi cant (P .05) lateral shift in COP was noted between 30% and 90% of the stance phase in the tape reexercise condition in the APSS technique. The APSS technique seems to be eff ective at controlling ND and preventing a medial shift of the COP during the deceleration phase of foot pronation. [Athletic Training & Sports Health Care. 2014;6(6):252-260.] Overuse lower-leg injuries, although often of uncertain etiology, are frequently affected by anatomical, mechanical, training intensity, volume, and injury type factors.1,2 The catch-all term shin splints has been used to describe a variety of conditions, including compartment syndrome, periostitis, stress fractures, nerve entrapment syndrome, and various tendinopathies.3,4 More recently, the shin splints term has been used interchangeably with an equally ambiguous, but more medically descriptive phrase, medial–tibial stress syndrome (MTSS).5 This syndrome is characterized by exercise-induced pain along the posteromedial border of the tibia, is not attributed to compartment syndrome or stress fracture,6,7 and is of idiopathic origins. A common link of these varied pathologies with abnormalities in foot position is an increased drop in the location of the navicular bone. This drop, resulting in a “fallen arch,”8 is often referred to as pes planus. In a pes planus foot, the center of pressure (COP) is deviated more medially during gait than in those with a neutrally aligned foot.9-12 Williams et al13 found that low-arched individuals have a more medial COP than those with high arches, allowing the possibility that COP may be useful in detecting changes in foot orientation throughout the stance phase of gait (heel strike through toe-off).9-13 In addition, pes planus feet have been associated with tibialis posterior dysfunction.14,15 One of the primary functions of the tibialis posterior is to contract eccentrically throughout the deceleration phase of foot pronation.16 If the tibialis posterior is dysfunctional, it cannot effectively control the force that must be transferred from the foot to the lower leg, leading to its inability to control the “falling” of the arch. This hyperpronation during gait can result in lower-leg pain,3 which supports the theory that suggests that foot overpronation, attributable to tibialis posterior muscle dysfunction, is a possible cause of MTSS.7 Several researchers13,14 have studied the effectiveness of taping or use of custom shoe inserts as an effort to control navicular drop (ND). Orthotic inserts have proven to be Ms Prusak from Maple Mountain High School, Spanish Fork; and Dr Prusak is from the Department of Teacher Education, and Dr Hunter, Dr Seeley, and Dr Hopkins are from the Department of Exercise Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah. Received: December 9, 2013 Accepted: November 12, 2014 Posted Online: December 3, 2014 The authors acknowledge the contributions of Devin Francom, MS (Brigham Young University), for his creative use of functional statistical analyses and cubic smoothing splines, allowing for the examination of changes in the center-of-

Immediate Effects of a Heel-Pain Orthosis and an Augmented Low-Dye Taping on Plantar Pressures and Pain in Subjects With Plantar Fasciitis

To determine the effects of augmented low-dye (ALD) taping and a heel-pain orthosis (HPO) on pain, peak plantar pressure (PPP), and mean plantar pressure (MPP) while walking and jogging. Cross-over study design. University clinical laboratory. Seventeen physically active or sedentary individuals with plantar fasciitis. Both PPP and MPP were evaluated after 45 seconds of walking and jogging during the 3 interventions (control, ALD, HPO) under 4 areas of the foot: lateral rearfoot and forefoot, and medial rearfoot and forefoot. Pain was assessed during each intervention (at 60-second mark) using the visual analog scale (VAS). Peak plantar pressure, MPP, and VAS. The ALD produced a decrease in walking MPP (44.66 ± 14.46) under the lateral rearfoot compared with the control (57.92 ± 22.18; P = 0.024) and in jogging MPP (55.05 ± 18.27) compared with the control (67.22 ± 20.95; P = 0.002) and HPO (68.51 ± 17.57; P = 0.002). Scores of VAS decreased with the application of HPO (7.12 ± 10.08; P < 0.002 and 12.15 ± 15.61; P < 0.003) and ALD (6.24 ± 5.71; P < 0.006 and 10.09 ± 8.87; P < 0.001) while walking and jogging when compared with the control (17.32 ± 17.86 and 26.65 ± 22.38). Although the HPO and ALD produced statistically and clinically decreased VAS scores while walking and jogging, further research is needed beyond these preliminary findings to determine long-term outcomes related to pain relief.

Initial Neuromotor and Postural Effects After Continual Use of Augmented Low-Dye Taping

Augmented low-dye (ALD) tape increases medial longitudinal arch height, reduces calcaneal eversion and tibial internal rotation, alters plantar pressure distribution, and reduces leg muscle activity. This study evaluated continual wear of ALD tape and its initial effect on foot posture and mobility, three-dimensional motion, and muscle recruitment patterns of the lower limb in 28 individuals. Participants were then randomly allocated for an intervention period to either a group that was exposed to ALD tape continually or a group that was not exposed. Following the intervention period, all participants attended a second test session, which reevaluated the initial physiological effects of tape. Analysis of differences in exposure status revealed minimal changes in the initial physiological effects of ALD tape, and those differences were likely due to natural variation. The initial physiological effects of ALD tape appear to be consistent, even after continual use over approximately 11 days.

Augmented Low Dye Taping Changes Muscle Activation Patterns and Plantar Pressure During Treadmill Running

Randomized, crossover study. To examine changes in muscle activity and plantar pressure during running with the application of augmented low Dye (ALD) taping. ALD taping is used clinically as part of management for lower limb injury. As of yet, no studies have examined the effect of this taping method on muscle activity and plantar pressure during running, simultaneously. Thirteen healthy recreational runners(mean ± SD age, 31.7 ± 4.9 years; height, 181.7 ± 4.6 cm; body mass, 81.6 ± 5.9 kg) completed a 6-minute run on a treadmill at a speed of 10 km·h⁻¹, with 3 different taping conditions (ALD, control tape, no tape), applied in randomized order. Peak and average EMG signal amplitude, onset time, and burst duration were calculated for the vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, and the gluteus medius. In-shoe plantar pressures were also recorded. All data were calculated based on an average of 20 steps collected after 5 minutes of treadmill running. ALD taping significantly altered muscle activity and plantar pressure during treadmill running by (1) delaying the onset of the EMG signal of the gluteus medius, vastus medialis, and vastus lateralis, and (2) increasing lateral midfoot plantar pressure. ALD taping significantly alters plantar pressure and muscle activation patterns during treadmill running. These findings give insight into the neuromuscular effect of a taping procedure that is used commonly in a clinical setting.

Does repeated application of augmented low-dye taping alter neuromotor control of lower limb gait or foot posture and mobility?

Background/aims: The immediate effects of augmented low-Dye (ALD) taping, such as altered foot posture and alignment during standing/walking/ jogging, altered plantar pressures and reduced leg muscle activity during walking, have been described in the literature. To date, there has been no investigation of the effect of ALD tape following a longer duration of application that is reflective of clinical practice. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ALD tape on neuromotor control (control of muscle and movement patterns) of the lower limb during gait, as well as static foot posture and foot mobility, when applied for a clinically relevant period.

Augmented low dye taping changes plantar pressure and muscle activation patterns during treadmill running

Augmented low dye taping changes plantar pressure and muscle activation patterns during treadmill running

Continual use of augmented low-Dye taping increases arch height in standing but does not influence neuromotor control of gait

This study investigated the effect of continual use of augmented low-Dye (ALD) taping on neuromotor control of the lower limb during gait, as well as foot posture and mobility. Twenty-eight females were randomly allocated to wear ALD tape continuously or a no-tape control for a mean 12 ± 2 days. Electromyographic activity from 12 lower limb muscles, three-dimensional motion at the ankle, knee, hip and pelvis (i.e., measures of neuromotor control) and foot posture and mobility was measured before and after the tape or control interventions. For the tape group, arch height ratio (=arch height/distance from heel to first metatarsophalangeal joint line) was greater by 0.006 (95% confidence interval: 0.0002–0.01, p = 0.04) following the intervention period, whereas no change was observed for the control group (−0.003 (−0.01–0.004), p = 0.36). The difference between groups (0.009 (0.0004–0.02), p = 0.04) equated to a 0.16 cm increase in arch height for the tape group following continual use of ALD tape. There was no change in neuromotor control of gait following continual use of ALD taping ( p > 0.05). Continual use of ALD tape for approximately 12 days produced a small change in foot posture, but no alteration in neuromotor control. Previous literature suggests that this increase in arch height is likely to be clinically relevant and may be one factor that contributes to the known efficiency of ALD tape in the treatment of lower extremity pain and injury.

Tape That Increases Medial Longitudinal Arch Height Also Reduces Leg Muscle Activity

: To evaluate the initial effects of antipronation taping (APT) on foot posture and electromyographic (EMG) activity of tibialis anterior (TA), tibialis posterior (TP), and peroneus longus (PL) muscles during walking. : Five asymptomatic individuals who exhibited lower medial longitudinal arch height on a clinical assessment of gait walked on a treadmill for 10 min before and after the application of an APT technique-specifically, the augmented low-Dye. Arch height (AH) in standing as well as peak and average amplitude, duration, time of onset, and time of offset of recorded EMG activity during walking were analyzed for each condition. : APT produced a mean (95% confidence interval (CI)) increase in AH of 12.9% (6.5-19.3; P = 0.005). Mean (95% CI) reductions in peak and average EMG activation of TA (peak: -23.9% (-34.0 to -13.9); average: -7.8% (-13.6 to -2.0)) and TP (peak: -45.5% (-77.3 to -13.7); average: -21.1% (-41.6 to -0.6)) were observed when walking with APT (P < 0.05). The APT also produced a small increase in duration of TA EMG activity of 3.7% (0.9-6.5) of the stride cycle duration, largely because of an earlier onset of EMG activity (4.4%; -8.1 to -0.8 of a stride cycle; P < 0.05). : APT reduces activity of the TA and TP muscles during walking while increasing AH, which provides preliminary evidence of its role in reducing the load of these key extrinsic muscles of the ankle and the foot. Follow-up study is required to evaluate these findings.

Plantar Foot Pressures After the Augmented Low Dye Taping Technique

Plantar Foot Pressures After the Augmented Low Dye Taping Technique

A pilot study of the initial effects of anti-pronation taping on electromyographic activity of lower leg muscles during walking

Clinicians frequently use anti-pronation (AP) taping to relieve symptoms and improve function in the management of musculoskeletal pain and injury, yet the mechanisms behind this effect have not been fully explored. To date, the majority of the literature has focused on the mechanical effects of AP taping and little has been done to explore its possible neurophysiological effects. This pilot study set out to investigate the effect of the Augmented LowDye taping technique on the electromyographic (EMG) activity of muscles of the lower leg during walking. Five asymptomatic subjects, who exhibited clinically abnormal pronation during a visual assessment of gait, walked on a treadmill for ten minutes before and after the application of the taping technique. Bipolar intra-muscular electrodes were used to record the EMG of the tibialis anterior (TA), tibialis posterior (TP), gastrocnemius (GN) and peroneus longus (PL) during walking. A two-way repeated measures analysis of variance was used to compare the EMG activity (peak amplitudes, duration of activity) for each muscle. The co-efficient of multiple correlations was calculated to evaluate the variability of muscle recruitment patterns within each subject. Visual comparisons of EMG activity during individual walking strides before and after the application of tape were also performed. Peak EMG activity decreased by 25% in TA and by 45% in TP following the application of tape. There were no significant differences in peak EMG activity of GN or PL, or in duration of EMG activity for any muscle. Results from this study suggest that neurophysiological changes could contribute to the mechanism behind AP taping.

Anti-pronation tape changes foot posture but not plantar ground contact during gait

Objectives To investigate changes in medial longitudinal arch (MLA) posture and dynamic plantar contact area following the application of augmented low-Dye (ALD) tape during walking and running. Methods Eighteen asymptomatic subjects (mean age 27 ± 7.8 years) with a navicular drop greater than 10 mm were studied. MLA height standardised to foot length was measured before and after the application of tape. Subjects then walked and jogged taped and non-taped over an EMED-SF floor mounted force platform. The plantar surface of the foot was divided into six regions with the toes excluded. Contact area (CA) and Lateral-Medial Area Indices (LMAI) were calculated for each region. Results Compared to the no-tape control condition, the MLA increased significantly after the application of tape ( p = 0.000). Contact area was reduced in the medial and lateral rearfoot during jogging ( p = 0.001 and 0.005, respectively) and the medial rearfoot during walking ( p = 0.004) following tape. There was no significant mean difference between the taped and control conditions for mean Lateral-Medial Area Indices. Conclusion Whilst the ALD tape changed foot posture by providing an anti-pronation effect, minimal changes were noted in CA or LMAI after tape application. These findings indicate that anti-pronation tape procedures, like the ALD, do not significantly alter plantar contact area.

Initial effects of anti-pronation tape on the medial longitudinal arch during walking and running

Objectives: To investigate the effect of an augmented LowDye taping technique on the medial longitudinal arch of the foot during dynamic tasks such as walking and jogging, and to elucidate...