Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 16, 2026
Evaluating Postural Control and Lower-extremity Muscle Activation in Individuals with Chronic Ankle Instability
Published on: September 18, 2020
The influence of ankle taping on changes in postural stability during soccer-specific activity
Monika Lohkamp1, Simon Craven, Colin Walker-Johnson
1Dept of Sport, Health, and Exercise Science, University of Hull, Hull, UK.
Context:
Postural stability diminishes with longer activity, which may increase the risk of injury. Tape can increase stability, but this effect diminishes after exercise.
Objective:
To investigate the influence of ankle taping on postural stability during soccer-specific activity.
Participants:
10 male, injury-free, semiprofessional soccer players.
Intervention:
A 45-min treadmill protocol replicating the activity profile of soccer match play--with and without ankle tape. Postural stability was assessed every 7.5 min, requiring response to sudden ankle plantar flexion and inversion during single-leg stance.
Main Outcome Measure:
Reaction time to perturbation and center-of-gravity (CoG) displacement.
Results:
Reaction time was significantly longer (P < .05) with longer exercise for both movements and conditions. No significant effect was evident in CoG displacement. For both outcome measures a nonsignificant benefit of taping was observed during the first 22.5 min of activity.
Conclusion:
Prolonged exposure to soccer-specific activity negates any beneficial effect of taping in improving postural stability.
Related Concept Videos
01:10Ankle Joint
01:18Errors in Taping