Effect of Anti-Pronation Athletic Tape Types: A Randomized Crossover Trial on Ankle Strength, Gait Parameters, and Balance Control Ability in Women with Flexible Flat Feet
Athletic Tape is widely used as an immediate and cost-effective intervention for flexible flat feet, offering a practical alternative to orthotic devices and exercise therapies. This study aimed to compare the effects of low-dye and anti-pronation taping (elastic and inelastic) on ankle strength, ga...
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| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Applied Sciences |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/12/6858 |
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| Summary: | Athletic Tape is widely used as an immediate and cost-effective intervention for flexible flat feet, offering a practical alternative to orthotic devices and exercise therapies. This study aimed to compare the effects of low-dye and anti-pronation taping (elastic and inelastic) on ankle strength, gait parameters, and balance control in women with flexible flat feet. Thirty women were evaluated under four conditions: no taping, low-dye taping, elastic anti-pronation taping, and inelastic anti-pronation taping. Each condition was tested at 3-day intervals. Outcome measures included ankle muscle strength, step length, stride length, balance control ability assessed using the Romberg and limits of stability tests. Repeated-measures analysis of variance and post hoc least significant difference analyses were used to determine statistical significance. Additionally, effect sizes (η<sup>2</sup>) were calculated for the primary outcomes. Dorsiflexion strength significantly improved with elastic taping (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Step length increased with both elastic and inelastic taping, whereas stride length improved only with elastic taping. All taping methods significantly reduced the limits of stability compared with the no-taping condition (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Athletic Tape interventions, especially elastic anti-pronation taping, may reduce excessive foot pronation and improve ankle strength and gait performance in women with flexible flat feet. |
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| ISSN: | 2076-3417 |