Effectiveness of Taping for Injury Prevention, Part 2
- Effectiveness of Taping for Injury Prevention Part 1
- Effectiveness of Taping for Injury Prevention Part 2
The method of action of ankle taping as a prophylactic measure is unknown. Garrick and Requa (1973) demonstrated that tape becomes looser after only ten minutes and provides very little mechanical restraint after half an hour of competition. Garn and Newton (1998) and Karlsson and Andreasson (1992) have hypothesised that the benefit of taping comes from enhanced proprioceptive awareness which allows the Peroneal muscles to contract faster in a reflex response to a twisted ankle.
The type of taping technique and the choice of material used is largely based on the athletes preference, with this decision largely based on custom, superstition and comfort (both physical and mental). A couple of common preventative ankle taping techniques are demonstrated later within this guide.
Ankle tape is also appropriate following acute ankle sprain. As well as immobilisation, a compression bandage can help to limit swelling. Capasso et al (1989) compared the effect of adhesive and non-adhesive tape on ankle compression using a pressure cuff. They concluded that non-adhesive tape has to be renewed after three days, but that adhesive tape lasted 10 days. This would indicate that adhesive tape provides more compression, but it should be remembered that too much compression compromises venous blood flow, which can be counter productive in limiting swelling. There is an example of a compression support for an acute ankle sprain later within this guide.
In the mid eighties Australian physiotherapists advocated taping as a major component of the management of anterior knee pain. The reasoning behind this approach was that it improved patellofemoral mechanics and altered muscle imbalances around the knee. The evidence for this was largely anecdotal (the original research by McConnell (1986) did not contain a control group and there was no objective measure of improvement), but the technique has enjoyed widespread use. More recently more rigorous studies (Kowall et al 1996) have found no evidence to support the use of patellofemoral taping, as their randomised controlled trial found that taping did not enhance a standard physiotherapy treatment program without taping. Further research by Gigante et al (2001) using a CT scan to assess patellofemoral mechanics showed that patella taping didn't affect patella orientation and concluded that this approach doesn't improve anterior knee pain by changing patella position. Recently more theories from 'down under' advocate the use of tape to offload injured muscles - but we find that rest is the best method to offload damaged muscles.
Another taping technique that is commonly used by athletes, including
elite level footballers is a 'clasp' over the patella tendon. This
can be seen in several high profile soccer players, although it
is unclear whether they are over their symptoms and simply wear
the tape as a superstitious pre-match ritual. The reasoning behind
this tape job is to compress the patella tendon thus restricting
the force that can be exerted through it. Although the theory has
very good face validity it is very difficult to provide objective
evidence to support this technique, either clinically or in biomechanical
studies.
Guide to Strapping & Taping
Recommended Products for Taping & Strapping
Tape
PhysioRoom.com Taping Starter Kit
£17.17 inc VAT Was £22.99 Save £5.82 (25%)
SAVE 28%!Perfect for all taping and strapping techniques. This Taping Starter Kit includes 6 rolls of 4...
Mueller Taping Starter Kit
£22.99 inc VAT
Versatile, compact taping kit for athletic events when you need extra support for a joint. Contains 3 rolls of Athletic...
Mueller Zinc Oxide Perform Porous Tape
1+ £6.99
6+ £4.59 (Save 34%)
12+ £4.08 (Save 42%)
24+ £3.57 (Save 49%)
SAVE UP TO 30%!High performance 100% cotton, zinc oxide trainer's tape. Porous feature reduces skin irritation....
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%)
SAVE UP TO 30%!Mueller zinc oxide trainer's tape available in a choice of 5 team colours - ideal for keeping shin...
Underwrap
Mueller M-Wrap Foam Underwrap
1+ £3.99
6+ £1.99 (Save 50%)
12+ £1.49 (Save 63%)
SAVE UP TO 20%!Foam underwrap that can be applied before a tape job to prevent...
(2 reviews)
Mueller Mueller 5cm Tear Light Elastic Adhesive Tape (Black)
£5.99 inc VAT
Highest quality, hand 'tearable' lightweight elastic adhesive tape. ...
Mueller 7.5cm Tear Light Elastic Adhesive Tape (Black)
£6.99 inc VAT
Highest quality, hand 'tearable' lightweight elastic adhesive tape. ...
Cohesive Bandage
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%)
SAVE UP TO 60%!Hand tearable bandage that sticks to itself and not skin, hair or...
(2 reviews)
Mueller Elastic Cohesive Stretch Tape
1+ £6.99
6+ £4.59 (Save 34%)
12+ £4.08 (Save 42%)
24+ £3.57 (Save 49%)
£5.99 inc VAT Was £6.99 Save £1.00 (14%)
SAVE UP TO 30%!High quality cohesive bandage from Mueller. Typically used for taping...
(1 review)
Elastic Adhesive Bandage
Mueller Stretch M Elastic Adhesive Tape
1+ £6.99
6+ £5.06 (Save 28%)
12+ £4.49 (Save 36%)
SAVE UP TO 20%!High quality and offering maximum strength - Mueller's strongest elastic adhesive tape. Used for...
Mueller 5cm Tear-Light Elastic Adhesive Tape
1+ £6.99
6+ £4.59 (Save 34%)
12+ £4.08 (Save 42%)
£3.75 inc VAT Was £6.99 Save £3.24 (46%)
SAVE UP TO 20%!Highest quality, hand 'tearable' lightweight elastic adhesive tape....
(1 review)
Adhesive & Remover
Mueller Tape Remover Spray (120ml)
£11.99 inc VAT
Adhesive removing spray, which is used when removing tape jobs. For when you want to remove the tape, rather than all the hairs...
Mueller Tape Remover Spray (300ml)
£19.99 inc VAT
Adhesive removing spray, which is used when removing tape jobs. For when you want to remove the tape, rather than all the hairs...
Mueller Pre-Tape Adhesive Spray (120ml)
£11.99 inc VAT
Colourless adhesive spray which is used to make tape jobs stick better. Mueller Pre-Tape Adhesive solves the problem of tape...
Why Shop With Us?
100% Secure
Shopping
Shopping
Money Back
Guarantee
Guarantee
£FREE Delivery
Orders Over £65
Orders Over £65
NEXT DAY Delivery
Order By 2pm
Order By 2pm
FREE Guides
Expert Injury Help
Expert Injury Help
Newsletter
Receive our latest news and offers.
Social Hub
Safe Shopping
We accept the following payment methods
PhysioRoom.com Limited, Unit 1 & 2 Dawson Court, Billington Road, Burnley, Lancashire BB11 5UB, England
© Copyright PhysioRoom.com 2011. All rights reserved. Sitemap.
IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE
The articles on this web site are provided for general information only and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or treatment. All exercises and information featured on this web site should only be practised under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional.
0.29
