Lower leg neuromuscular changes following fibular reposition taping in individuals with chronic ankle instability

Soleus and peroneus longus arthrogenic muscle inhibition has been reported in patients with chronic ankle instability. Fibular reposition taping (FRT) has been shown to improve outcomes however, the influence of FRT on neuromuscular function is unknown. The purpose was to determine the effects of FRT on soleus and peroneus longus h-reflex amplitude in patients with chronic ankle instability. This was a randomized, single blind, sham-controlled crossover laboratory experiment. Twelve young adults with chronic ankle instability (age: 21.5 ± 1.6, height: 173.8 ± 10.4, mass: 72.8 ± 16.3) participated in two testing sessions. We measured peak h-reflex and M-wave of the soleus and peroneus longus and v-wave of the soleus only. Measurements were recorded before and after the application of FRT or a sham tape intervention. Sessions were separated by a week and counterbalanced, h-reflex and v-wave were normalized to M-wave at each time point. Significant increase in h/M ratio was observed in the soleus following FRT compared to baseline, but not after the sham intervention. No difference in peroneus longus h/M ratio or soleus v/M ratio was observed in any session. FRT may be an effective modality for increasing soleus h-reflex for patients with chronic ankle instability.