Does kinesiology taping of the ankles affect proprioceptive control in professional football (soccer) players?

Objective To determine whether the bilateral application of kinesiology tape (KT) to professional footballers' ankles can improve their lower limb proprioception. Design A single blind randomised crossover study. Participants were randomly assigned to complete a proprioception test in either a taped or not taped condition first. Following a wash out period, participants were then re-tested in the alternate condition. Setting A UK Championship League Football Club, mid-season. Participants Twenty male professional football players over the age of 18, currently match fit with no injuries. Outcome measure Proprioception was assessed by participants undertaking the moving target program on the balance module attached to a Kin-Com 125AP isokinetic dynamometer. A paired sample two tailed t -test was used to assess whether there was a significant difference between the participants test scores in the not taped and taped conditions. Results The bilateral application of KT to professional footballers' ankles did not bring about a significant change in participants' scores when tested with a fine movement and balance control test. Percentage accuracy score mean difference 4.2 (p = 0.285). Conclusion The results of this study do not support the use of KT when applied to the ankles of healthy footballers as a method of improving proprioception. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]