Effects of taping and exercise on ankle joint movement in subjects with chronic ankle instability: a preliminary investigation.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effects of ankle joint taping and exercise on ankle joint sagittal plane and rear-foot frontal plane movement in subjects with chronic ankle instability.


METHODS
Laboratory-based, repeated-measures study.


METHODS
University biomechanics laboratory.


METHODS
Subjects with chronic ankle instability (N=11) as defined by the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool.


METHODS
Each participant performed 3 single-leg drop landings onto a forceplate under 3 different conditions. These conditions were: condition 1 (no tape), condition 2 (taped), and condition 3 (postexercise taped).


METHODS
Kinematic data were used to identify ankle joint sagittal plane and rear-foot frontal plane positions at 50 ms before initial contact (IC) and at IC, under each of the conditions.


RESULTS
There was a significant effect on the angle of ankle joint plantar flexion, both at 50 ms before IC (F(2,18)=29.4, P<.001) and at IC (F(2,18)=16.1, P<.001), as a result of the application of tape. Post hoc analysis revealed that condition 1 (no tape) resulted in significantly greater plantar flexion angle at 50 ms before IC than condition 2 (taped) (7.7+/-3.0 degrees ; P=.002) and condition 3 (postexercise taped) (8.3+/-4.8 degrees ; P=.01). Similarly, condition 1 (no tape) resulted in significantly greater plantar flexion at IC than both condition 2 (taped) (5.3+/-3.2 degrees ; P<.001) and condition 3 (postexercise taped) (5.3+/-4.4 degrees ; P=.001). No significant differences were evident between condition 2 (taped) and condition 3 (postexercise taped) (P>.05).


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate that taping acted to reduce the degree of plantar flexion at both 50 ms before and at IC with the ground, and that these reductions were retained even after exercise.
Delahunt
Eamonn
E
School of Physiotherapy and Performance Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Republic of Ireland. eamonn.delahunt@ucd.ie
O'Driscoll
Jeremiah
J
Moran
Kieran
K
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001458:Bandages; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome