The Measured Effect of Taping for Sports

Abstract

  The effect on sports ability of taping ankles and knees was measured using noral, uninjured subjects under four conditions as follows : (1) non-taping, (2) taping the ankle, (3) taping the knee, and (4) taping both ankle and knee. The measured abilities consistes of agility, starting power, balance, and reaction time. Each ability, was tested for each of the four conditions.

  Agility was measured by the burpee test and by sidestep repetition, while starting power was measured by the high jump. Balance was measured by having subjects stand on one leg with their eyes closed, and, reaction time by finding subjects' electromyogram response time while they stood tiptoe.

  The following results were obtained. When subjects exercised with both the ankle and knee taped, agility and balance were adversely affected, but with only the ankle or the knee taped, only balance was affected.

  Therefore, for prevention of injuries, taping on either ankle or knee, but not both, can be undertaken without fear of restricting play in exercise which does not require great powers of balance.