Effects Of Dynamic Tape On Performance In Adults With Different Injury Risk Of Lower Extremity

PURPOSE: Dynamic knee valgus enhances the risk of lower extremity injury, which in turn may affect sports performance. Dynamic Tape is claimed to have good benefits for muscle contraction and movement control. However, most of the studies have been applied to healthy groups, and there’s no further application of comparison on adults who has potential high or low risk of lower extremity injury. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the acute effect of Dynamic Tape on dynamic balance, dynamic knee valgus index, proprioception, isokinetic maximum muscle strength, and power performance in individuals with potential low or high risk of lower extremity injury. METHODS: This study was observational study with pre-post design. Thirty healthy adults were recruited. First, Y-balance test was used for the selection of injury risk. If the difference between the two legs in the forward direction is greater than 4 cm, it is divided to the high-risk group (n = 15). And if it is less than 4 cm, it is divided to the low-risk group (n = 15). Y-balance test, dynamic knee valgus index, proprioception, isokinetic maximum muscle strength, and power performance were obtained at baseline and immediately after applying dynamic tape to the quadriceps. RESULTS: After the taping, the high-risk group achieved a significant improvement on dynamic balance (p = 0.002), but low risk group did not. In terms of power performance, there were interaction effects between groups (p < 0.01). Post hoc test found that both groups showed significant improvement (p < 0.01). However, no statistical difference in dynamic knee valgus index and proprioception were found. CONCLUSION: Dynamic tape can significantly increase dynamic balance and power performance, especially in the high risk group. There is no immediate effects on dynamic knee valgus index and proprioception with dynamic tape. Therefore, it is recommended that sports professionals may choose the proper tape based on the purpose of improvement.NSTC 112-2410-H-037-017, MOST 111-2813-C-037-025-H