Short-term effects of athletic taping techniques on calcaneal frontal angle in young female adults with flexible flatfoot

Abstract

Abstract Background This study aimed to explore short-term effects of athletic taping techniques on calcaneal frontal range of motion (ROM) during walking in young female adults with flexible flatfoot (FFT). Methods Twenty young female adults with FFT were recruited. Each participant was randomly divided into two groups, namely, augmented low-Dye (ALD) and modified low-Dye (MLD) groups. The calcaneal frontal ROM was measured on the basis of the resting calcaneal stance position (RCSP), maximum calcaneal eversion, maximum calcaneal inversion and calcaneal frontal ROM. The measurements were collected at baseline, after taping and after 20-min walking. Results Compared with baseline, the RCSP values increased after 20-min walking with ALD (p = 0.004). After 20-min walking, ALD taping performed higher maximum calcaneal eversion (p = 0.02) and frontal ROM (p = 0.003) than post taping. MLD taping performed higher maximum calcaneal inversion (p = 0.001) and frontal ROM (p = 0.002) after 20-min walking than post taping. Conclusions This study indicated that in young female adults with FFT, the short-term effects of athletic taping on RCSP and calcaneal frontal angle during the gait support phase were limited, and ALD taping exhibited higher RCSP with walking time than MLD taping. Therefore, using two taping techniques as prescription basis for calcaneal eversion correction in young women with FFT in clinical practice is not recommended. Trial registration: This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Shanghai University of Sport (No. 102772021RT026).