Comparison of the effectiveness of elastic and inelastic banding applications on ankle kinematics in drop landing in patients with lateral ankle injury

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of elastic and inelastic banding applications on the kinematic of the ankle joint in drop landing in patients with a history of unilateral lateral ankle. 24 people with a history of unilateral lateral ankle injury were descended from a platform of 30 cm height on one foot and ankle kinematic analysis was performed with a three-dimensional high-speed camera system. The same analysis was repeated by performing elastic (kinesio taping) and inelastic banding (athletic tape) on the injured foot. In the descent performed without any banding, the inversion angle value of the affected foot was smaller than the unaffected foot and the difference was statistically significant (p = 0.03967, p = 0.04250). There was no statistically significant difference in ankle kinematic values at the first contact, full contact and first 150 ms after the first contact after landing in three different places after elastic banding, inelastic banding and without any banding. The results of the study show that elastic and inelastic banding applications may not be sufficient to stabilize the ankle during landing after splashing and that the band application techniques and materials are not kinematically different. It should be taken into consideration that the kinematic risk factors related to injury persist in individuals with ankle injury, even if taping is performed during sports activity. Keywords: Ankle, lateral ankle injury, kinematic analysis, ankle biomechanics, taping