Download PDF
Int J Sports Med 2009; 30(5): 383-386
DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1105930
Orthopedics & Biomechanics

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Vertical Leg Stiffness Following Ankle Taping and Bracing

S. Williams 1 , B. L. Riemann 1
  • 1Armstrong Atlantic State University, Health Sciences, Savannah, United States
Further Information

Publication History

accepted after revision October 15, 2008

Publication Date:
06 February 2009 (online)

Also available at
    Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

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.

Key words

ankle taping - ankle bracing - impact absorption

References

  • 1 Bishop M, Fiolkowski P, Conrad B, Brunt D, Horodyski M. Athletic footwear, leg stiffness, and running kinematics.  J Athl Train. 2006;  41 387-392
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 2 Cerullo J, Riemann B, Lephart S. The combined effects of ankle and spat taping on vertical ground reaction force during drop landings.  J Athl Train. 2000;  35 S33
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 3 Cordova M, Ingersoll C, LeBlanc M. Influence of ankle support on joint range of motion before and after exercise: A meta-analysis.  J Ortho Sports Phys Ther. 2000;  30 170-182
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 4 Davidson P, Chalmers D, Wilson B, MacBride D. Lower limb injuries in New Zealand Defense Force personnel: descriptive epidemiology.  Aust N Z J Public Health. 2008;  32 167-173
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 5 Farley C, Morgenroth D. Leg stiffness primarily depends on ankle stiffness during human hopping.  J Biomech. 1999;  32 267-273
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 6 Fernandez W, Yard E, Comstock R. Epidemiology of lower extremity injuries among US high school athletes.  Acad Emerg Med. 2007;  14 641-645
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 7 Granata K, Pauda D, Wilson S. Gender differences in active musculoskeletal stiffness. Part II. Quantification of leg stiffness during functional hopping tasks.  J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2002;  12 127-135
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 8 Hammig B, Yang H, Bensema B. Epidemiology of basketball injuries among adults presenting to ambulatory care settings in the United States.  Clin J Spor Med. 2007;  17 446-451
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 9 Hodgson B, Tis L, Cobb S, Higbie E. The effect of external ankle support on vertical ground-reaction force and lower body kinematics.  J Sport Rehab. 2005;  14 301-312
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 10 Kofotolis N, Kellis E. Ankle sprain injuries: A 2-year prospective cohort study in female Greek professional basketball players.  J Athl Train. 2007;  42 388-394
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 11 Kofotolis N, Kellis E, Vlachopoulos S. Ankle sprain injuries and risk factors in amateur soccer players during a 2-year period.  Am J Sports Med. 2007;  35 458-466
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 12 Le Gall F, Carling C, Reilly T. Injuries in young elite female soccer players.  Am J Sports Med. 2008;  36 276-284
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 13 MacCaw S, Cerullo J. Prophylactic ankle stabilizers affect ankle joint kinematics during drop landings.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1999;  31 702-707
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 14 Meana M, Alegre L, Elvira J, Aguado X. Kinematics of ankle taping after a training session.  Int J Sports Med. 2008;  29 70-76
    Thieme ConnectPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 15 Mickel T, Bottoni C, Tsuji G, Chang K, Baum L, Tokushige K. Prophylactic bracing versus taping for the prevention of ankle sprains in high school athletes: a prospective randomized trial.  J Foot Ankle Surg. 2006;  45 360-365
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 16 Mohmmadi F. Comparison of 3 preventative methods to reduce the recurrence of ankle inversion sprains in male soccer players.  Am J Sports Med. 2007;  35 922-926
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 17 Pauda D, Arnold B, Carcia C, Granata K. Gender differences in leg stiffness and stiffness recruitment strategy during two-legged hopping.  J Motor Behav. 2005;  37 111-125
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 18 Pauda D, Arnold B, Perrin D, Gansneder B, Carcia C. Fatigue, vertical leg stiffness, and stiffness control strategies in males and females.  J Athl Train. 2006;  41 294-304
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 19 Pedowitz D, Reddy S, Parekh S, Huffman G, Sennett B. Prophylactic bracing decreases ankle injuries in collegiate female volleyball players.  Am J Sports Med. 2008;  36 324-327
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 20 Ricard M, Sherwood S, Schulties S, Knight K. Effects of tape and exercise on dynamic ankle inversion.  J Athl Train. 2000;  35 31-37
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 21 Riemann B, Schmitz R, Gale M, MacCaw S. Effect of ankle taping and bracing on vetical ground reaction forces during drop landings before and after treadmill jogging.  J Ortho Sports Phys Ther. 2002;  32 628-635
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 22 Sharpe S, Knapik J, Jones B. Ankle braces effectively reduce recurrence of ankle sprains in female soccer players.  J Athl Train. 1997;  32 21-24
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 23 Stasinopoulos D. Comparison of three preventative methods in order to reduce the incidence of ankle inversion sprains among female volleyball players.  Br J Sports Med. 2004;  38 182-185
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 24 Thacker S, Stroup D, Branche C, Gilchrist J, Goodman RA, Weitman EA. The prevention of ankle sprains in sports A systematic review of the literature.  Am J Sports Med. 1999;  27 753-760
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 25 Tillman M, Hass C, Chow J, Brunt D. Lower extremity coupling parameters during locomotion and landings.  J Appl Biomech. 2005;  21 359-370
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 26 Tyler T, MacHugh M, Mirabella M, Mullaney M, Nicholas S. Risk factors for noncontact ankle sprains in high school football players: the role of previous ankle sprains and body mass index.  Am J Sports Med. 2006;  34 471-475
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 27 Rijn R van, Os A van, Bernsen R, Luijsterburg PA, Koes BW, Bierma-Zeinstra SM. What is the clinical course of acute ankle sprains?.  A systematic literature review. Am J Med. 2008;  121 324-331
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 28 Venesky K, Dochetry C, Dapena J, Schrader J. Prophylactic ankle braces and knee varus-valgus and internal-external rotation torque.  J Athl Train. 2006;  41 239-244
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 29 Verhagen E, Mechelen W van, Vente W de. The effect of preventive measures on the incidence of ankle sprains.  Clin J Spor Med. 2000;  10 291-296
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 30 Verhagen EALM, Beek AJ van der, Mechelen W van. The Effect of tape, braces and shoes on ankle range of motion.  Sports Med. 2001;  31 667-677
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar

Correspondence

Dr. B. L. RiemannPhD, ATC 

Armstrong Atlantic State University

Health Sciences

11935 Abercorn Street

31419-1997 Savannah

United States

Phone: +912/344/29 34

Fax: +912/344/34 90

Email: Bryan.Riemann@armstrong.edu