This study aimed to investigate the effects of elastic adhesive bandage (EAB) and zinc-oxide (ZO) tape on ankle proprioception in amateur footballers. Sixteen male university football players participated in a protocol involving pre-exercise questionnaires, taping with EAB or ZO, a warm-up, and a 30-minute agility exercise. Proprioception was measured pre- and post-exercise using a Biodex Balance machine. While results are still being analyzed, it is expected that taping will positively influence ankle proprioception and that EAB or ZO tape may differ in the level of support provided. Further research over longer exercise periods is needed to fully understand the mechanical support effects of prophyl

1. Holliday,A
The Effects Prophylactic Taping has on Ankle Proprioception
Background and Purpose
Studies have shown that football players areplaced ata higher risk of injury due to the physical demands of
the game, this has been quantified as 10 to 35 injuries every 1000 playinghours (Forbes,et al.2013). Of these
injuries,17%areto the anklejointand 67% of these are ligamentsprains, mainly to the lateral complex
(Forbes, et al.2013). These injuries arelargely caused by fatigue as itimpairs theproprioceptiveand
kinesthetic properties of joints.Italso increases thethreshold of musclespindledischargewhich interrupts
afferent feedback, consequently alteringjointresponsiveness(Gribble,et al.2004). The use of a prophylactic
anklesupport aims to reduce injury risk and re-injury whilstdelivering increased mechanical support
(Simoneau, et al.1997). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigatethe influence Elastic Adhesive
Bandage (EAB) and Zinc-Oxide(ZO) tape had on ankleproprioception within amateur footballers.
Method
The firstsixteen male University football players (Age: 21 + 1.2yrs) who volunteered to participatewere
chosen, to avoid bias.Participants were required to complete a pre-exercisemedical questionnairealongwith
a written informed consent. The participants were injury free and used their dominant foot for testing. Each
participanteither had 5-cm EAB or 5-cm ZO tape applied to the skin in a figure-of-8 pattern, starting1-cmjust
above the lateral malleolusand finishing5-cms abovethe 5th meta-tarsal.A pre-readingwas taken on the
Biodex Balancemachinebefore completing a 10-minute warm-up consistingof self selected jogging/running,
followed by self selected dynamic stretches. The participants werethen familiarized with the SAFT 90
procedure. The SAFT 90 includes a 20-mshuttle run with four poles,and gives commands via an audio CD for
different agility movements and speeds. Only 30-minutes of the protocol were used to help determine
whether the tape had lostits ability to aid with proprioception.Once the protocol had ended, measurements
were taken on the Biodex Balancemachineto determine whether SI had increased or decreased.
Results
As of yet testing is still undergoing and results areto be formulated and analysed through IBM SPSS Statistics
21. The results from this study are expected to show that prophylactic tapingpositively affects ankle
proprioception within amateur footballers.Itis also anticipated to show a differentiation between the tapes
used and indicatewhich provides an increased supportto anklestability.
Discussion and Conclusions
If the results summarized above arefound, itwill provideevidence to indicatea player’s SI increases after 30
minutes of exercisewith EAB or ZO applied.This will suggestthe proprioceptiveproperties of the jointare
aided by the prophylactic tapingtechnique.This will supportcurrentliterature such as Forbes,et al (2013) that
have also found that prophylactic tapingdelivers increased mechanical support. However, Mootz & McCarthy
(1999) suggest that tapingloses 57%of its properties after 30-minutes of intensive exercise.So, further
research may be necessary in order to identify the increased mechanical supportprophylactictapeprovides
over a prolonged period of time (i.e. 90-minutes).
References
Forbes, H., Thrussell,S., Haycock,N., Lohkamp, M., & White, M. (2013). J of Sport Rehabilitation, 22, 170-176
Gribble,A.P., Hertel, J., Denegar, R.C., & Buckley, E.W. (2004). Journal of Athletic Training, 39(4) 321-329
Mootz, D.R., & McCarthy, A.K. (1999).Sports Chiropractic.Aspen Publication:Maryland
Simoneau, G.G., Degner, R.M., Kramper, C.A., & Kittleson,K.H. (1997). J of Athletic Training, 32(2) 141-147