Effects of tape and Kinesiotape on ankle range of motion, Single Leg Drop Jump and balance after running-induced fatigue: a cross-over clinical trial

The prevention and management of injuries in runners is a key area of research in sports medicine. Fatigue during running can lead to biomechanical imbalances and inhibition of stabilizing muscles, increasing the risk of injury. With the ankle being the most commonly injured joint in runners, rigid tape (RT) and Kinesiotape (KT) have been proposed as effective methods to improve joint stability and reduce injury risk. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of a KT and RT and no tape (control group) on lower limb balance, ankle dorsiflexion ROM, and electromyographic (EMG) activation of the pronator and supinator muscles of the ankle during a Single Leg Drop Jump (SLDJ) following a treadmill fatigue protocol. From March 1st until April 10th, 2024, a cross-over clinical trial with three conditions: control group, with a RT, and with KT was conducted with n = 22 well-trained runners aged 29.29 ± 10.98 years. Lower limb stability, ankle dorsiflexion mobility, SLDJ parameters, and electromyographic activation of the ankle muscles (tibialis anterior (TA), extensor digitorum longus (EDL), peroneus longus (PL), and medial gastrocnemius (MG)) during a SLDJ were analyzed Pre and Post fatigue protocol, involving a 30-minute run at 85% of the maximal aerobic speed on a treadmill. Statistical analysis was conducted using repeated-measures ANOVA with Bonferroni correction. The RT bandage decreased ankle dorsiflexion ROM compared to both KT bandage and a control group during pre fatigue treadmill protocol measurements in the lunge and Y Balance Tests (specifically in the anterior direction). Group-by-time interaction showed significant differences for the lunge test (p = 0.045), SLDJ height (p = 0.014), flight time (p = 0.019) and ground contact time (p = 0.035). With the RT condition, the runners exhibited higher peak activation of the EDL muscle compared to the KT and control group during initial landing (p = 0.028), with a lesser decay in activation during take-off (p = 0.016). The KT showed a significant increase in the activation of the PL muscle during the first contact phase of the SLDJ (p = 0.046). Concerning flight and contact time during the SLDJ, both KT and RT proved beneficial in mitigating fatigue symptoms before and after the treadmill protocol. Regarding the RT bandage's specific effects on muscle activation, our findings indicate that the RT group exhibited higher peak activation of the EDL muscle compared to the KT and control groups during initial landing, with a lesser decay in activation during take-off. The KT showed a significant increase in the activation of the PL muscle during the first contact phase of the SLDJ. To conclude, our study highlights the potential benefits of both KT and RT in reducing fatigue symptoms during SLDJ. The study was registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12624000099527) on February 2nd, 2024 (https://anzctr.org.au/).