The effect of strapping on the motor performance of the ankle and wrist joints

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of strapping on different components of motor performance of wrist and ankle joints. The subjects were 14 healthy volunteers (12 females, two males), aged 21-33 years, with no known previous injuries of the ankle and wrist joints. The measurements were made with the HPMIBEP system and Isokinetic Lido Active Multi-joint system. First, the subjects performed the test without strapping and then, on the following day, with strapped right wrist and ankle joints. The strapping of the wrist increased the simple reaction time by 9%, choice reaction time by 9% and decreased the wrist tapping speed by 21%. Wrist strength decreased in flexion (18Oo/s) by 14% and ulnar deviation (180'1s) by 8% . The strapping of the ankle increased the simple reaction time by 129' 0, choice reaction time by 9% and decreased foot tapping speed by 14%. Ankle strength in plantar flexion decreased in 60'1 s by 22% and 180"ls by 14% and in inversion in 60'1s by 28% and 180' 1 s by 15%. These results suggest the strapping of ankle and wrist joints reduces motor performance in the above-mentioned directions as measured by the following parameters: simple reaction time, choice reaction time, tapping speed, and muscle strength.

Effects of Different Taping Pressures with Wrist Taping on Isokinetic Strength Exertion of Wrist Dorsal and Palmar Flexion

“…Kauranen et al [4] reported that wrist taping limited isokinetic strength exertion during palmarflexion. However, they did not specify the taping pressure used.…”

“…Kauranen et al [4] reported that wrist taping decreases isokinetic strength exertion of palmar and ulnar flexion at a moderate angular velocity (180°/sec); however, they found that isokinetic strength exertion was unchanged in all wrist joint movements at a slow angular velocity (60°/sec). In short, the effect was shown to vary according to angular velocity.…”

“…Kauranen et al [4] reported that isokinetic strength exertion during palmar flexion was limited by wrist taping. Because the range of palmar flexion of the wrist joint is larger than that of dorsal flexion, this difference is considered to influence the effect of wrist taping on strength exertion.…”

“…Three angular velocities in the measurement were set in the following three conditions: slow (60°/sec), moderate (180°/sec) (according to the experiments of Kauranen et al [4]) and fast (300°/sec). The movement range of the wrist joint was restricted between 30° of dorsal flexion and 45° of palmar flexion to ensure the safety of the athletes.…”

“…According to Rettig et al [3] a taping method that fixes fingers and the wrist joint decreases grip strength exertion. Kauranen et al [4] reported that wrist taping induces decreased motor performance parameters, such as simple reaction time, choice reaction time, and tapping speed, as well as decreased isokinetic strength exertion during wrist palmar and ulnar flexion. In competitive sports, limitation of strength exertion related to competitive behaviors negatively affects performance.…”