The effects of elastic taping for ankle balance on dynamic balance and round kick performance of young taekwondo players

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effects using elastic taping of ankles on dynamic balance and round kick performance of Taekwondo players. Thirty-six young black belt Taekwondo players participated in the study and were screened with inclusion and exclusion criteria. They were randomly allocated into a treatment group (elastic taping) or a placebo group. The star excursion balance test, ankle range of motion, repeated round kick, high round kick, and plantar flexion movement were measured in both groups before and after applying the tape. The normality of the data was evaluated using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Then, an independent t-test was performed to compare the main effect of the elastic tape and placebo-tape interventions. Paired-sample t-tests were performed to compare the pre-test and post-test mean values within each group. The mean differences between the groups were compared using independent t-tests. The results showed that the treatment group gained significantly more balance control than the placebo group (p<0.05), particularly in the posterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral directions. Similarly, a substantially greater degree of plantar flexion movement and number of kicks during round kick performance were found in the treatment group than in the placebo group (p<0.01). These results indicated that elastic taping of ankle joints can enhance round kick performance in young Taekwondo players.