The effect of Kinesio-tape on proprioception and landing mechanics of soccer players with high risk of anterior cruciate ligament injury: A Randomized Controlled Study

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Master of Sports Injury and Corrective exercise, Azad university of Urmia. Urmia. Iran

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Exercise Physiology and Corrective Exercises, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran

10.22084/rsr.2023.27483.1683

Abstract

Background and Aim: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is common in football. Its mechanism mostly lands after heading, and it causes disturbances in proprioception and knee function and secondary injuries. This study aimed to investigate the effect of kinesio tape on proprioception and landing mechanics in soccer players at high risk of ACL injury.
Methods: 30 male soccer players with a high risk of ACL injury with an average age of 21.76 ± 2.46 years were purposefully selected and randomly assigned to two control and experimental groups. Proprioception was evaluated with a goniometer and landing mechanics using the LESS test in both groups. Then, kinesio tape was applied to the knee area for the experimental group. The control group received no intervention, and both groups’ proprioception and landing mechanics were rechecked. Paired t-tests and Wilcoxon tests were used to examine the within-group effect. A covariance analysis and the Mann-Whitney U test were used to investigate the between-group effect. The data was analyzed using SPSS software version 24.
Results: The results showed a significant difference in proprioceptive variables (p=0.002) and landing mechanics (p=0.004) after kinesio tape application.
Conclusion: By improving landing mechanics and proprioception, applying kinesio tape can effectively reduce the risk of non-contact ACL injury in people at high risk of ACL injury.

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