Acute Responses in Dynamic Balance, Vertical Jump Performance, and Visuomotor Reaction Time Following Ankle Kinesio Taping and Dynamic Taping in Competitive Basketball Players: A Within-Subject Study

Background/Objectives: Kinesio taping (KT) and dynamic taping (DT) are commonly used in sports settings to support sensorimotor function and athletic performance. However, evidence directly comparing their immediate effects across different performance domains in competitive basketball players remains limited. This study aimed to compare the acute responses to KT and DT in dynamic balance, vertical jump performance, and visuomotor reaction time. Methods: Twenty male competitive basketball players participated in this within-subject study. All participants received KT during the first testing session and DT during the second session conducted one week later. Dynamic balance, vertical jump performance, and visuomotor reaction time were assessed immediately before and after each taping application using the Lower Quarter Y-Balance Test, My Jump 2, and the Light Trainer system, respectively. Within-condition pre–post changes and differences in change between KT and DT were analyzed using paired-samples t-tests, with the Holm procedure applied to secondary outcomes to account for multiple comparisons. Results: Significant pre–post increases were observed in anterior and posterolateral reach and composite Y-Balance scores following both KT and DT (all p < 0.001). Posteromedial reach increased significantly following DT (p = 0.003) but not KT (p = 0.076), although the between-condition difference in change was not significant. Vertical jump performance and visuomotor reaction time showed no significant pre–post changes following either taping condition. No statistically significant between-condition differences were observed for any outcome. Conclusions: Both KT and DT were followed by immediate improvements in dynamic balance, whereas no statistically significant changes were detected in vertical jump performance or visuomotor reaction time. No statistically significant difference in the magnitude of change was observed between the two taping conditions. The differing response patterns across outcomes may indicate task-dependent acute responses; however, this interpretation should be considered preliminary given the study design and sample size.