Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 8, 2026
Evaluating Postural Control and Lower-extremity Muscle Activation in Individuals with Chronic Ankle Instability
Published on: September 18, 2020
Immediate effects of kinesiology taping on proprioception and functional performance in collegiate athletes with
Cheng-Liang Chang1, Han-Yun Lin1, Yu-Ting Tseng2
1Lab of Cognitive Neurophysiology, Institute of Physical Education, Health and Leisure Studies, National Cheng Kung University, NO. 1, University Road, Tainan, 701, Taiwan.
Background:
Chronic ankle instability (CAI) is associated with proprioceptive deficits and impaired functional performance, predisposing athletes to recurrent injury. Kinesiology taping (KT) is widely applied in sports medicine; however, its neurophysiological effects on proprioception remain unclear, particularly at different tension levels.
Objective:
To determine the immediate effects of KT tension on proprioception, functional performance, and cortical processing in collegiate athletes with CAI.
Methods:
Thirty athletes with CAI completed two experimental sessions (35% tension KT and 0% tension KT) in a within-subject crossover design. Proprioception was evaluated with a robotic ankle system using just noticeable difference (JND) and interval of uncertainty (IU), while simultaneous EEG captured event-related potentials (ERPs). Functional performance was evaluated using single-leg stance (SLS), single-leg hop (SLH), and single-leg lateral hop (SLLH) tests. Repeated-measures ANOVAs and correlation analyses were performed.
Results:
Application of 35% KT significantly reduced JND, whereas 0% KT increased JND. IU showed no significant changes. Functional outcomes improved under 35% KT for SLS (eyes closed) and SLLH-success, whereas SLLH-errors increased following 0% KT. ERPs analysis revealed stable N1 amplitude with 35% KT but significant reductions with 0% KT. Correlation analysis showed that decreases in JND were positively associated with stronger N1 responses, whereas both JND and IU were significantly related to SLLH performance.
Conclusion:
KT with appropriate tension immediately enhances proprioceptive acuity, cortical responsiveness, and functional stability in athletes with CAI, whereas placebo taping may disrupt sensory processing and impair performance. Electrophysiological measures provide valuable mechanistic insights for optimizing KT application in clinical and sports settings.
