Effect of prophylactic ankle taping on ankle and knee biomechanics during basketball-specific tasks in females

Abstract

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of ankle taping on ankle and knee joint biomechanics during cutting and rebound activities in females.

Design

Cross-sectional.

Setting

Laboratory.

Participants

Twenty semi-professional female basketball players performed a cut and rebound task under two conditions (taped and no-tape).

Main Outcome Measures

Kinematic and ground reaction force data were collected during the deceleration phase of each movement task.

Results

Taping resulted in a significant reduction in peak ankle dorsiflexion, inversion and internal rotation angles and range of motion (ROM) at the ankle joint; and reduced knee ROM in the sagittal plane during the rebound task only. Taping significantly reduced peak knee flexion moment (0.29 Nm/kg, P = 0.013) and increased knee internal rotation moment (0.63 Nm/kg, P = 0.026) during the cutting task compared to control. Taping also significantly reduced the internal rotation moment (0.07 Nm/kg, P = 0.025), and medial shear forces (0.14 N/kg, P = 0.012) in the rebound task.

Conclusion

Results of the study suggest that ankle taping restrict ankle range of movement in the rebound task only and ankle taping appears to have upstream effects on the knee, which may have injury implications.