Vertical leg stiffness following ankle taping and bracing

This study sought to determine if prophylactic ankle taping and bracing influenced vertical leg stiffness during hopping. Twenty healthy and physically active participants completed testing under three ankle stabilizer conditions, ankle tape, semi-rigid ankle brace or control (no stabilizer) during three separate sessions. Immediately following stabilizer application, participants completed an exercise bout prior to completing the hopping. Vertical ground reaction forces were collected during the hopping and were used to calculate vertical leg stiffness. No significant changes in vertical leg stiffness were revealed. These results are likely attributable to the exercise bout causing sufficient loosening of the stabilizers, concurrent proximal joint compensations and/or the possibility that the effect of ankle stabilizers on shock absorption during hopping is more subtle than the effects revealed during drop landings.