Effectiveness of Taping for Injury Prevention, Part 1

  1. Effectiveness of Taping for Injury Prevention Part 1
  2. Effectiveness of Taping for Injury Prevention Part 2

Taping is described in the literature in the treatment and prevention of several musculoskeletal conditions such as ankle sprains (Thacker et al, 1999), patellofemoral pain (Gigante et al, 2001), wrist sprains (Rettig et al, 1997) and shoulder injuries (Kneeshaw, 2002). Research methods include randomised controlled trials, retrospective and prospective cohort studies, biomechanical lab base studies, correlational epidemiological studies. The scientific evidence for the effectiveness of taping for these problems is mixed, but the clinical use of taping techniques is widespread (Macdonald, 1994).

Miller and Hergenroeder (1990) examined the effectiveness of tape versus laced ankle stabilisers and found that support provided was equal. Each method had practical advantages and disadvantages, namely that the stabiliser could be applied by the athlete and re-tightened during competition; whereas the tape could be modified to the athletes preference and was better in sports which used low cut footwear such as a soccer boot. Hopper et al (1999) undertook a similar study, examining the difference in muscle activity and joint forces during landing when wearing an ankle brace or ankle tape. The study involved 15 elite female netball players whose landing technique was analysed using video, force plate (to measure ground reaction force) and EMG electrodes (to measure muscle activity). The authors concluded that the mechanics of landing were the same for both methods, but that the ankle brace altered muscular activity, though this was deemed not to affect function.

The ankle is the most commonly taped joint in soccer (Junge et al, 2002). There are several studies which examine the effectiveness of taping as a preventative measure. Garrick and Requa (1973) undertook a randomised controlled trial of the effects of taping on the incidence of ankle sprain in college basketball players. Those subjects who were taped every day suffered 14.7 sprains per 1000 participant games, compared with 32.8 sprains per 1000 participant games. A retrospective study by Rovere et al (1988) showed the injury incidence in students with taped ankles was 4.9 ankle sprains per 1000 participant games, compared with 2.6 ankle sprains per 1000 participant games in students wearing ankle braces. However this was another basketball study and the findings are not truly relevant to soccer as ankle braces are generally not conducive to soccer play.

Part 2 >

3 Materials >





Recommended Products for Taping & Strapping





Tape


Ultimate Performance Golfers Grip Tape

Ultimate_Performance_Golfers_Grip_Tape

£5.99 inc VAT

Buy Now

The Ultimate Performance golfers grip tape has been specially designed to be applied to the fingers and golf club grips to help...

More Details

Ultimate Performance Ultimate Tan Tape

Ultimate_Performance_Ultimate_Tan_Tape

£9.99 inc VAT

Buy Now

Water repellent and hypo-allergenic, this tan tape is used for joint immobilisation, support of muscles, joints and ligaments....

More Details

PhysioRoom.com Taping Starter Kit

PhysioRoom.com_Taping_Starter_Kit

£17.17 inc VAT Was £22.99 Save £5.82 (25%)

Buy Now

SAVE 28%!Perfect for all taping and strapping techniques. This Taping Starter Kit includes 6 rolls of 4...

More Details


Mueller Taping Starter Kit

Mueller_Taping_Starter_Kit

£22.99 inc VAT

Buy Now

Versatile, compact taping kit for athletic events when you need extra support for a joint. Contains 3 rolls of Athletic...

More Details

Mueller Zinc Oxide Perform Porous Tape

Mueller_Zinc_Oxide_Perform_Porous_Tape

    1+ £6.99
    6+ £4.59 (Save 34%)
  12+ £4.08 (Save 42%)
  24+ £3.57 (Save 49%)

Buy Now

SAVE UP TO 30%!High performance 100% cotton, zinc oxide trainer's tape. Porous feature reduces skin irritation....

More Details

Mueller Zinc Oxide M-Tape Team Colours

Mueller_Zinc_Oxide_M_Tape_Team_Colours

    1+ £6.50
    6+ £3.67 (Save 44%)
  12+ £3.26 (Save 50%)
  24+ £2.85 (Save 56%)

Buy Now

SAVE UP TO 30%!Mueller zinc oxide trainer's tape available in a choice of 5 team...
 (1 review)

More Details





Underwrap


Mueller M-Wrap Foam Underwrap

Mueller_M_Wrap_Foam_Underwrap

    1+ £3.99
    6+ £1.99 (Save 50%)
  12+ £1.49 (Save 63%)
£2.35 inc VAT Was £3.99 Save £1.64 (41%)

Buy Now

SAVE UP TO 20%!Foam underwrap that can be applied before a tape job to prevent...
 (3 reviews)

More Details

Ultimate Performance Golfers Grip Tape

Ultimate_Performance_Golfers_Grip_Tape

£5.99 inc VAT

Buy Now

The Ultimate Performance golfers grip tape has been specially designed to be applied to the fingers and golf club grips to help...

More Details




Cohesive Bandage


Steroplast Cohesive Bandage 5cm x 4.5m

Steroplast_Cohesive_Bandage_5cm_x_4.5m

    1+ £3.26
    6+ £1.99 (Save 39%)
  12+ £1.79 (Save 45%)
  24+ £1.29 (Save 60%)

Buy Now

SAVE UP TO 60%!Hand tearable bandage that sticks to itself and not skin, hair or...
 (4 reviews)

More Details

Mueller Elastic Cohesive Stretch Tape

Mueller_Elastic_Cohesive_Stretch_Tape

    1+ £6.99
    6+ £4.59 (Save 34%)
  12+ £4.08 (Save 42%)
  24+ £3.57 (Save 49%)

Buy Now

SAVE UP TO 30%!High quality cohesive bandage from Mueller. Typically used for taping...
 (1 review)

More Details




Elastic Adhesive Bandage


Mueller Stretch M Elastic Adhesive Tape

Mueller_Stretch_M_Elastic_Adhesive_Tape

    1+ £6.99
    6+ £5.06 (Save 28%)
  12+ £4.49 (Save 36%)

Buy Now

SAVE UP TO 20%!High quality and offering maximum strength - Mueller's strongest elastic adhesive tape. Used for...

More Details

Mueller 5cm Tear-Light Elastic Adhesive Tape

Mueller_5cm_Tear_Light_Elastic_Adhesive_Tape

    1+ £4.99
    6+ £4.59 (Save 8%)
  12+ £4.08 (Save 18%)

Buy Now

SAVE UP TO 20%!Highest quality, hand 'tearable' lightweight elastic adhesive tape....
 (1 review)

More Details

Ultimate Performance Ultimate Tan Tape

Ultimate_Performance_Ultimate_Tan_Tape

£9.99 inc VAT

Buy Now

Water repellent and hypo-allergenic, this tan tape is used for joint immobilisation, support of muscles, joints and ligaments....

More Details





Adhesive & Remover


Mueller Tape Remover Spray (120ml)

Mueller_Tape_Remover_Spray_120ml_

£11.99 inc VAT

Buy Now

Adhesive removing spray, which is used when removing tape jobs. For when you want to remove the tape, rather than all the hairs...

More Details

Mueller Pre-Tape Adhesive Spray (120ml)

Mueller_Pre_Tape_Adhesive_Spray_120ml_

£11.99 inc VAT

Buy Now

Colourless adhesive spray which is used to make tape jobs stick better. Mueller Pre-Tape Adhesive solves the problem of tape...

More Details

Ultimate Performance Grip Powder

Ultimate_Performance_Grip_Powder

£7.99 inc VAT

Buy Now

Ultimate Performance Grip Powder is a sticky hydrophobic resin based powder which can be conveniently dispensed from a handy...

More Details





Newsletter

Receive our latest news and offers.