Effects of Kinesiology Taping on Muscle Strength, Dynamic balance, and Functional Movement in Wrestlers with Chronic Ankle Instability

[OBJECTIVES] This study aimed to investigate the effect of the Kinesio taping on ankle strength, Dynamic balance and, functional movement in wrestlers with chronic ankle instability. [METHODS] Twenty wrestlers who registered in the Korea Wrestling Association were participated in this study. They were divided into two groups (chronic ankle instability group [n=10] or control group [n=10]) based on Cumberland’s ankle instability questionnaire. Ankle strength (dorsiflexion, plantarflexion, inversion, and eversion) were measured using manual muscle tester, and the dynamic balance was measured using Y-Balance test (anterior, postero-medial, postero-lateral, and composite). Functional movement hop test (side hop, square hop, and figure-of-8 hop) were used to evaluate functional movement. [RESULTS] The significant interaction was observed between group and time on the Y-balance test (composite score), and functional movement hop test (figure-of-8 hop) (group × time, all P for interaction < 0.05). [CONCLUSIONS] These results suggest that Kinesio taping has a positive effect on dynamic balance and functional movement. Also, Kinesio taping may be able to use an alternative and effective methods to maintain ankle stability and performance in the wrestlers with chronic ankle instability.