Augmented low-Dye tape alters foot mobility and neuromotor control of gait in individuals with and without exercise related leg pain

Abstract

Background: Augmented low-Dye (ALD) tape is frequently used in the management of lower limb musculoskeletal pain and injury, yet our knowledge of its effect is incomplete, especially in regard to its neuromotor effects.

Methods: We measured electromyographic (EMG) activity of twelve lower limb muscles, three-dimensional kinematics of the ankle, knee, hip and pelvis, foot posture and foot mobility to determine the physiological effect of ALD tape. Fourteen females with exercise related leg pain and 14 matched asymptomatic females walked on a treadmill under three conditions: pre-tape, tape and post-tape. A series of repeated measure analysis of variance procedures were performed to investigate differences in EMG, kinematic, foot posture and mobility measurements.

Results: Application of ALD tape produced reductions in recruitment of tibialis anterior (7.3%) and tibialis posterior (6.9%). Large reductions in midfoot mobility (0.45 to 0.63 cm) and increases in arch height (0.58 cm), as well as moderate changes in ankle motion in the sagittal (2.0 to 5.3 degrees ) and transverse planes (4.0 to 4.3 degrees ) were observed. Reduced muscle activation (<3.0%) and increased motion (<1.7 degrees ) was observed at more proximal segments (knee, hip, pelvis) but were of smaller magnitude than at the foot and ankle. Changes in foot posture, foot mobility, ankle kinematics and leg muscle activity did not persist following the removal of ALD tape, but at more proximal segments small changes (<2.2 degrees , <5.4% maximum) continued to be observed following the removal of tape. There were no differences between groups.

Conclusions: This study provides evidence that ALD tape influences muscle recruitment, movement patterns, foot posture and foot mobility. These effects occur in individuals with and without pain, and are dissipated up the kinetic chain. ALD tape should be considered in the management of individuals where increased arch height, reduced foot mobility, reduced ankle abduction and plantar flexion or reduced activation of leg muscles is desired.

Figure 1

Experimental procedure.

Figure 2

Effect of ALD tape on lower limb muscle activity. The 95% confidence interval of the mean muscle recruitment patterns for the pre-tape, tape and post-tape conditions for a representative individual. X-axis is 0-100% stride cycle; Y-axis is normalised EMG amplitude (% maximum). Panels i, ii, iii provide an example of interpretation of changes in muscle recruitment patterns that are described in the text.

Figure 3

Effect of ALD tape on lower limb motion. The 95% confidence interval of the mean movement patterns for pre-tape, tape and post-tape conditions for a representative individual. X-axis is 0-100% stride cycle; Y-axis is degrees of movement. Panels i and ii provide an example of interpretation of changes in movement patterns that are described in the text.

Figure 4

Effect of ALD tape on foot posture and mobility. The mean and 95% confidence interval for measurements of foot posture and mobility. X-axis is TIME (pre-tape, tape, post-tape); Y-axis is millimetres. Note that lower value is indicative of less mobility for arch height difference, midfoot width difference and foot mobility magnitude.