Key Points

Kinesiology tape failed to improve ankle stability (as defined by various measures of muscle activity) in response to sudden ankle inversion.

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BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE

Traditional athletic tape has been shown to reduce the incidence of lateral ankle sprain (LAS) (1), but there is concern that it may impair athletic performance by restricting range of motion. It has been proposed that kinesiology tape (KT) can improve ankle stability without restricting range of motion. This study sought to assess the effect of kinesiology tape on ankle stability under barefoot and shod conditions.

Traditional athletic tape has been shown to reduce the incidence of lateral ankle sprain.

Use of kinesiology tape does not change the behavior of two muscles that are critical to ankle stabilization.

METHODS

27 healthy individuals were placed on a custom-made tilting platform system and subjected to sudden ankle inversion. Electromyography (EMG) measurements were taken of the peroneus longus and tibialis anterior muscles, recording peak muscle activity, average muscle activity, and muscle latency.

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Immediate effect of kinesiology tape on ankle stability

Key Points

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE

METHODS