The immediate effect of synergistic muscles kinesio taping on function and balance of volleyball players with functional ankle instability: A randomized controlled trial

Objectives

To determine the immediate effect of synergistic muscles Kinesio taping (KT) on the function and balance of volleyball players with functional ankle instability (FAI).

Design

Parallel, superiority randomized controlled trial.

Methods

Twenty-six semi-professional volleyball players with FAI were randomly assigned to either the intervention or control group. All participants received KT of fibularis longus, gastrocnemius, and gluteus maximus muscles for one session. The intervention group received KT with 35 % tension, while the control group received KT without tension. The function was assessed using the side hop and single hop distance tests. Dynamic balance was assessed with the Y Balance test. The outcomes were measured at baseline, 20 min after KT, and 24 h after KT. Statistical analyses were performed using Mixed-model repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) and one-way ANOVA.

Results

The interactions of time*group for the outcomes of function using the single hop test and stability in the anterior direction of the Y Balance test were significant (p < 0.05). Within-group comparisons showed after KT, both groups experienced significant improvements in all outcomes compared to the baseline. Results of between-group comparisons revealed that the application of KT with tension compared to no tension significantly improved function and balance in the anterior of the Y Balance test.

Conclusions

Kinesio taping can be an effective treatment option to improve function and balance in FAI. Additionally, Kinesio taping with tension compared to KT without tension had superiority.