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The effect of aknle tapping on proprioception and balance ability before and after exercise (Master thesis)

Αλεξίου, Κωνσταντίνος/ Alexiou, Konstantinos

Ankle injuries are the most common injuries across a wide variety of sports (Verhagen et al, 2004). Taping or bracing of the ankle is often used by athletes as a way to protect and support this joint (Olmsted et al., 2004). The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of ankle taping on proprioception and balance ability before and after the exercise. The sample consisted of 45 young soccer players, students of Technological Educational Institute of Lamia, (age 21.4±2.3 yr, weight 75.52±9.7kg). Two teams were the experimental group, (N = 30), and one the control group (N = 15). All the participants performed a set of balance tests before and after the completion of an 1 hour training session. The "basket weave ankle lock“ technique with Leukotape P, 3,75cm wide, was applied. The tests were: a) Bass dynamic balance test, b) triple-hop jump test and c) balance board test (time on balance). The control group perform the tests and the training without taping. The experimental group A performed the initial test and the training without taping and only the final tests with taping. The experimental group B, used the taping both for the tests and for the training. Repeated Anova measures were used, and the level of significance was set, p<.05. According to the results, no significant differences were found (p.>05) between the measurements. Both the experimental groups and the control group changed their balance performance after the 1 hour training, decreasing their balance ability, but that reduction was not significant important. However, the experimental group 2 had the smallest performance reduction.