Does kinesiology taping of the ankles affect proprioceptive control in professional football (soccer) players?

Abstract

Objective: To determine whether the bilateral application of kinesiology tape (KT) to professional footballers' ankles can improve their lower limb proprioception.Design: A single blind randomised crossover study. Participants were randomly assigned to complete a proprioception test in either a taped or not taped condition first. Following a wash out period, participants were then re-tested in the alternate condition.Setting: A UK Championship League Football Club, mid-season.Participants: Twenty male professional football players over the age of 18, currently match fit with no injuries.Outcome measure: Proprioception was assessed by participants undertaking the moving target program on the balance module attached to a Kin-Com 125AP isokinetic dynamometer. A paired sample two tailed t test was used to assess whether there was a significant difference between the participants test scores in the not taped and taped conditions.Results: The bilateral application of KT to professional footballers' ankles did not bring about a significant change in participants' scores when tested with a fine movement and balance control test.Percentage accuracy score mean difference 4.2 (p=0.285).

The efficacy of elastic therapeutic tape variations on measures of ankle function and performance

“…When compared to traditional white tapes, KT has demonstrated inconclusive findings, for 56 example, in one study postural stability was shown to be improved following a of localized 57 fatigue protocol (13), whereas another study identified limited tape application benefits in 58 relation to fibularis longus activity during sudden inversion perturbation (9). Furthermore, 59 equivocal findings have been reported regarding range of motion (2, 37), strength (2, 29) 60 proprioception (6,18,21,27) postural stability (15,32) and functional performance (8,32). 61…”

The Effect of Kinesio Tape on Factors for Neuromuscular Control of the Lower-Extremity: A Critically Appraised Topic

“…2 To examine KT as a potential intervention for athletes at risk for ankle trauma, investigators analyzed the COP of professional soccer players when comparing a KT application with a no-tape condition. 4 Though there is no gold standard for measuring ankle proprioception, the investigators utilized a moving target program from the balance module of a Kin-Com ® 125AP isokinetic dynamometer (East Ridge, TN). The participants controlled their COP to track an on-screen visual stimulus to simulate the ankle instability that might occur in a soccer match.…”

“…The participants controlled their COP to track an on-screen visual stimulus to simulate the ankle instability that might occur in a soccer match. 4 Researchers observed that an application of KT had no significant effect on the COP of professional soccer players. 4 Although no positive effect was observed following the application of KT, consideration should be given to the population in question, as this finding may not translate to amateur athletes or the general population.…”

“…An increased prevalence may be attributed to KT brands claiming the tape can be used for neuromuscular reeducation. 4 Given the increased popularity of KT in clinical settings, there is a need to determine if a KT application has a positive or negative effect on neuromuscular control. Exploring the use of KT applications compared with other nonelastic tape applications or no-tape applications is necessary to better understand whether KT applications improve neuromuscular control and have a place in clinical practice.…”

Einfluss von kinesiologischen Tapeanlagen auf das Gleichgewicht von gesunden Probanden – ein narratives Review

“…Darunter waren auch die einzigen beiden Studien, welche eine Verblindung durchführten. Bailey und Firth [13] verblindeten den Untersucher und Nunes et al [16] verblindeten sowohl die Probanden als auch den Untersucher. Diese Verblindung wurde in beiden Fällen durch das Überstreifen einer Socke über die kinesiologische Tapeanlage bzw.…”