Taping and bracing
From Biomch-W
This section covers the effects of applying external support to the body such as adhesive tape, lacing up and semi rigid structures. The focus in this section is on the use of support in sport and there is an emphasis on its active use (i.e. during performance or active rehabilitation). However, some of the concepts here should be applicable to other areas.
Contents |
Methods
- Mechanical resistance to high load (i.e. typical of intense sport actions): there was no significant improvement in mechanical stability in (3) between tape vs. non-tape. (4) suggested resistance to high load was not the significant benefit of a brace (see positioning below for more information). The review (1) highlighted some studies that showed resistance to low load but none for high load.
- Mechanical positioning assistance: Reduction in degree of impact inversion degree and velocity of the ankle, using different ankle braces vs control where found in (4). The free fall stabilisation was found to be the significant factor (when comparing different brace models). The conclusion was that improved free fall positioning was the beneficial mechanism rather than resistance during the inversion. The gait analysis mentioned in (1) could also be interpreted to support this.
- Mechanical transfer: in (2) a possible negative effect of bracing was identified. For certain tasks they found that ankle bracing resulted in increased rotation at the knee. The conclusion was the increased rigidity of the ankle was transfering forces up to the knee and possibly increasing injury risk.
- Sensorimotor: there was significant improvement in peroneal latency (3) between tape vs. non-tape, but not in the studies contained in (1). Also, the importance of reaction time is undermined by (4). Mixed findings regarding kinesthesia were reported in the review (1) with some tape supports not changing kinesthesia, some bracing reducing it, and some semi-rigid bracing improving it. EMG amplitude to stimulus ratio was found to be higher with support in (1) and so was H-reflex level.
- Degredation of support: The review (1) of various studies highlights that the preformance of (at least some) supports reduces a large amount during a single exercise session.
- Changes in Poisson ratio: External support may have performance benefits through Poisson ratio effects. See (8) and (9) for analyses of this topic.
Injury prevention
No data.
Injury rehabilitation
No data.
Performance
The possible negative effects of support on sprint, agility and jump tests were meta-analysed in (6). The only significant result was an impairment in sprint (approx. 1% speed) for lace-up style support. The general trend for the other test/support styles was negative but insignificant. The studies reviewed in (1) supported the reduction in sprint speed but found no adverse effect to vertical jump or isokinetic strength. (7) did not find impairment of a balacing test using taping, lace up, or inflatable cast versus control.
Devices
It is suggested in (1) that, for ankles, semi-rigid braces with a stirrup style support may be the best at providing support.
References
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