Strapping for knee stability: Kinetic and kinematic comparisons of dynamic, rigid, and kinesio taping

Background: Knee stability is crucial for lower limb function and injury prevention. Drop landing analysis is commonly used to assess landing mechanics and stability, with different taping techniques potentially enhancing knee stability. This study aimed to investigate the effects of different taping conditions on knee joint kinetics and kinematics during a DL. Methodology: Twenty-one athletes (age: 22±2.69 years; height: 167.76±7.47 cm; mass: 63.32±10.57 kg) performed a series of 40cm drop landings under four taping conditions – no tape, dynamic tape, rigid tape, and kinesio-tape. Continuous biomechanical data were analysed using spm1d repeated measures ANOVA (p<0.05). Results: No significant changes were found in ground reaction force or time to stabilisation across conditions. Dynamic Postural Stability Index revealed significant differences between no tape vs dynamic tape (p<0.001) in dynamic postural stability index, vertical stability index, and anterio posterio stability index. While, rigid tape vs dynamic tape showed differences (p<0.05) in Dynamic Postural Stability Index, anterio posterio stability index, and medio lateral stability index. Further, dynamic tape vs kinesio tape saw differences in anterio posterio stability index (p=0.005). SPM1D analyses revealed differences (p < 0.04) in ankle abduction (2-15%) and rotation (1-4%; 43-61%; 67-78%), knee flexion (62-84%) and rotation (39-100) during the movement cycle, with no changes in hip movements. Conclusion: There were observable biomechanical changes, limited to the stability phase of landing, as well as in the Dynamic Postural Stability Index between the taping conditions, but these may not translate into improved stabilisation times and joint stability. These findings suggest that taping may not greatly affect landing kinetics or kinematics. As such, more conclusive evidence is warranted before including taping as an injury-preventative or stability-enhancement strategy for landings.