The Effect of Adhesive Strapping on Medial Longitudinal Arch Support before and after Exercise

The purpose of this study was to compare the ability of two methods of adhesive strapping to provide support to the medial longitudinal arch (MLA) before and after a standardized exercise of 10 minutes of jogging. Ten females, 19 to 35 years of age, were subjects. To determine the position of the MLA, the height of the navicular tuberosity from the floor was measured bilaterally while each subject was standing. Measurements were taken for the following three conditions: barefoot (BARE), before exercise with arches taped (PREEX), and after exercise with arches taped (POSTEX). Methods for taping the MLA were: 1) LowDye and 2) double X. Results of a two-way, within-subjects ANOVA were significant for conditions (F = 45.3, p < 0.0001) and tape methods x conditions interaction (F = 3.6, p < 0.05) but not for tape methods. The Tukey test resulted in a significant difference (p < 0.05) between BARE and PREEX and PREEX and POSTEX but not between BARE and POSTEX. Results indicate that support of the MLA by adhesive strapping was significantly diminished after exercise. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1991;14(1):18-23.