The effects of external support on electromechanical delay of the peroneus longus muscle

Ankle taping and bracing is commonly used in athletics and both have been shown to be effective in reducing injury. Ankle proprioception has been shown to increase with external support due to the activation of cutaneous mechanoreceptors, however, the sensorimotor effect has not been studied Electromechanical delay (EMD) is defined as the time lag from the onset of electrical activity in the muscle to the subsequent mechanical response. The purpose of this investigation was to measure and compare the EMD of the peroneus longus muscle during ankle unsupported, braced, and taped conditions. Thirty-one (10 male, 21female) healthy, college-aged subjects participated in the study (age: 20.9 +/- 1.8 years, mass 70.3 +/- 15.8 kg, height 171.1 +/- 9.6 cm). Each subject was assigned a random order for the three external support conditions. The subject was positioned on a force platform and instructed to actively evert the ankle. We examined the time lag between the onset of electrical activity in the peroneus longus muscle and a change in force as detected by the force platform. Five trials were completed for each condition and a repeated measures ANOVA was used to determine statistical significance. The results showed no significant difference between the three external support conditions. We concluded that external support through taping and bracing does not affect the EMD of the peroneus longus muscle in healthy subjects.