The effect of different taping techniques to lower extremity jumping performance and dynamic postural control

Gazi University Institute of Health Sciences 2015
Dogan Fe

This Masters Thesis project was provided to us. It investigated the effect of Kinesiotaping, Dynamic Taping and a Placebo Taping (using a rigid athletic tape) compared with no taping on dynamic balance and jump performance in 24 male professional soccer players.

The results showed that Dynamic Taping increased reach distances in the Star Excursion Balance Test when compared to all other groups. There were no significant differences when the other conditions were compared with each other. Furthermore, Dynamic Taping was the only one to show a significant improvement in single leg hop for distance compared with no tape.

Previous studies have reported mixed results in regards to detrimental effects on performance – generally worse or no change. This is the first study that we have seen that increased performance. The technique used was also very light compared with what we generally recommend and has far less of a force closure component to it however it did look to apply a resistance to inversion and a recoil into eversion. Dynamic Tape does allow normal movement to occur during the loading or wind up phase whereas a rigid tape may impact this negatively. However, the mechanism behind the improved performance is not fully elucidated in this study. The kinesiotaping application actually covered more skin and therefore had more input into the system so this sort of neurophysiological effect alone does not account for the difference. Briem et al showed an increase in mean muscle activity with a rigid tape when compared to kinesiotape so perhaps the stronger pulling of Dynamic Tape creates this effect. It may simply be improved confidence and beliefs around self efficacy that aid the performance. In the more comprehensive techniques, far more joint compression is obtained which would result in an increase in coefficient of friction at the articular surfaces and therefore an increase in stability via the force closure mechanism. The stronger recoil and spiralling application in this study would increase this slightly however as there was no sham Dynamic Taping technique (i.e. same orientation of tape but with no tension/compression), it is not possible to attribute the increase in performance to an increase in force closure. Further studies are required.

A far more comprehensive technique than the one used in this study results in firm, triplanar compression to increase force closure and stability (LEFT). When applied correctly, the rear foot should be resting in full eversion such that there is immediate and significant resistance and deceleration of inversion (RIGHT). This resistance increases with increasing velocity of the movement due to the viscoelastic properties of the tape. Normal movement however is preserved to allow the person to maintain normal balance strategies, accommodate to the ground surface and perform movements required for the sport.