Immediate Effect of Walking with Talus-stabilizing Taping on Ankle Kinematics in Subjects with Limited Ankle Dorsiflexion

Objective: To determine the effects of walking with talus-stabilizing taping (TST) on ankle dorsiflexion (DF) and heel-off time in the stance phase of gait and ankle DF passive range of motion (PROM).

Design: Pre- and post-intervention study.

Setting: University motion analysis laboratory.

Participants: Ten subjects participated in this study. Sixteen ankles with limited ankle DF PROM were tested.

Main Outcome Measures: Ankle DF PROM was measured using a goniometer, and maximum ankle DF before heel-off and time to heel-off in the stance phase of gait were measured using a 3D motion analysis system before and after walking with TST. Data were analyzed using a paired t-test.

Results: Ankle maximum DF before heel-off (p = 0.001), time to heel-off during the stance phase of gait (p = 0.005), and ankle DF PROM (p < 0.001) were significantly increased post-intervention compared with pre-intervention.

Conclusions: Walking with TST is an effective self-exercise for improving ankle kinematics during gait and increasing ankle DF PROM in individuals with limited ankle DF PROM.