Kinesiology taping improves balance in football players with chronic ankle instability

Introduction

There appears to be no consensus on the usefulness of kinesiological tape in athletes with chronic ankle instability, therefore the aim of this study was to examine the effects of kinesiological tape on dynamic balance in football players with chronic ankle instability.

Design, setting and participants

Football players who were eligible for this randomized controlled study were randomly assigned (allocation ratio 1:1:1) to one of three groups: experimental group, placebo group or control.

Interventions

The experimental group received kinesiological tape bands applied to the peroneal and tibialis anterior muscles. The tape was applied for 48 h. The placebo group received a sham kinesiological tape application for the same duration, while the control group did not receive any tape.

Outcome measures

Balance was assessed using the Y-Balance Test at baseline and 48 h later, with the kinesiological tape still in place, either sham or control.

Results

A total of 69 (23 per group) semi-professional, male, players (22.1 ± 4.3 years) completed the study. There was a significant change in test performance over time (F_1,66 = 9.425; P = 0.003; η_p² = 0.125), with a significant interaction for group × time (F_2,66 = 11.154; P < 0.001; η_p² = 0.253). The kinesiological tape group improved the overall performance in the Y-balance test (85.2 ± 8.7% to 90.3 ± 8.4%, P < 0.001), while no differences were observed for the placebo and control groups.

Conclusion

The application of kinesiological tape for 48 h improved overall dynamic balance performance on the Y-balance test. These findings suggest that kinesiological tape could be a beneficial strategy for addressing the consequences of chronic ankle instability.