Citation

Lohkamp M, Craven S, Walker-Johnson C, Greig M. J. Sport Rehab. 2009; 18(4): 482-492.

Affiliation

Dept of Sport, Health, and Exercise Science, University of Hull, Hull, UK.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Human Kinetics Publishers)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

20108850

Abstract

CONTEXT: Postural stability diminishes with longer activity, which may increase the risk of injury. Tape can increase stability, but this effect diminishes after exercise.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of ankle taping on postural stability during soccer-specific activity. PARTICIPANTS: 10 male, injury-free, semiprofessional soccer players. INTERVENTION: A 45-min treadmill protocol replicating the activity profile of soccer match play--with and without ankle tape. Postural stability was assessed every 7.5 min, requiring response to sudden ankle plantar flexion and inversion during single-leg stance. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Reaction time to perturbation and center-of-gravity (CoG) displacement.

RESULTS: Reaction time was significantly longer (P <.05) with longer exercise for both movements and conditions. No significant effect was evident in CoG displacement. For both outcome measures a nonsignificant benefit of taping was observed during the first 22.5 min of activity.

CONCLUSION: Prolonged exposure to soccer-specific activity negates any beneficial effect of taping in improving postural stability.

Language: en