engleski

Evaluation of the effects of neuromuscular taping on the kinematic and dynamic parameters of lower extremity during vertical jumps – a case study

Introduction: Neuromuscular tape is elastic therapeutic tape used in physiotherapy and athletic training. Previous trials on biomechanical effects and functional benefits of neuromuscular tape applied to lower extremities showed inconsistent results. The purpose of this case study was to examine assessment protocol and immediate effects of taping on knee angular velocity and acceleration and knee torque during vertical jumps. Methods: One healthy female subject (age=21, BMI=21, 8) was included in the study. Taping technique for general, non-specific knee pain was applied bilaterally on the knees. 2D video kinematic analysis and force platform measurements were performed during five vertical jumps in two conditions, respectively (without tape and with neuromuscular tape). Descriptive statistics were performed for all variables of interest. Normally distributed data were analyzed with paired-samples T-test, and not normally distributed data were analyzed with Wilcoxon paired signed-rank test. Results: Statistical analyses revealed no significant differences between two conditions neither for kinematic nor dynamic parameters. Discussion and conclusion: Results implicate that neuromuscular tape application does not influence biomechanical performance of jumps for this particular subject. Thus, results from this case study cannot be generalized and possible influence of fatigue on measured variables cannot be ruled out. Analysis on a larger sample and better methodological quality would be required to confirm if there are differences in kinematic and dynamic parameters caused by the application of neuromuscular tape.

biomechanics, dynamics, kinematics, neuromuscular taping

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