Comparative biomechanical effects of the standard method of ankle taping and a taping method designed to enhance subtalar stability

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare the restrictive effects of the widely recognized standard method of ankle taping with those of a modified ankle taping method that incorporates an additional component, the subtalar sling. Both ankles of 30 college football players were measured for maximal passive motion before taping, immediately after taping, and after a 2 to 3 hour football practice session. Downward and inward motions of the foot within the sagittal and frontal planes were induced separately and in combination with each other to allow quantification of four ankle motions. The data were analyzed by a 2 x 4 x 2 multivariate analysis of variance, a separate 2 x 3 analysis of variance for each of the four ankle motions, and the Newman-Keuls method of multiple comparisons of cell means. The results of this study suggest that the incorporation of the subtalar sling greatly enhances the protective function of ankle taping, but may impede performance of certain athletic skills.