The Effect of Ankle Taping on the Kinematics of the Lower Extremity While Running on Level, Inclined, and Declined Slopes

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 2: Issue 1, Article 8, 2021. Therapeutic taping is often prescribed as a treatment for various overuse injuries in the lower extremity. Researchers believe that taping may control the position and alter alignment of the calcaneus to correct foot pathologies when applied to the ankle in runners, however, the utility and specific mechanical effects of different taping techniques remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of ankle taping (no tape (NT), Kinesiotape® (KT), or Leukotape® (LT)) across different slope conditions (level, inclined, and declined) on the kinematics of the hip, knee, and ankle joints. Forty healthy participants (males=18, females=22) ran on a treadmill under different taping and slope conditions. Lower extremity kinematics at the hip, knee, and ankle were analyzed using a Contemplas Templo® 3D motion capture system. Data were analyzed using two-way repeated measures analyses of variance (ANOVAs; p\u3c0.05) for each kinematic variable, respectively. Data analysis revealed no significant interactions effects between taping conditions and slope on kinematics measured across joints. The results, however, revealed a significant main effect for type of tape for peak knee flexion angle during the stance phase of running with the application of LT, which produced less knee flexion when compared to KT. The results also revealed a significant main effect regarding slope conditions which identified an increase in stride length (SL) while running on a declined slope compared to an inclined slope. Finally, a significant main effect concerning slope conditions was found which identified a decrease in stride frequency (SF) while running on a declined slope compared to a level and inclined slope. The results of this study suggested that the application of LT affected knee flexion during the stance phase of running. This tape outcome may have implications for clinicians, coaches, and patients because they suggest that the application of LT may potentially reduce the risk of overuse injury due to repetitive flexion at the knee joint while running. Additionally, slope outcomes suggest that increased SL and decreased SF may reduce impact forces while running on a declined slope. Future research is required to further explore these preliminary results