The influence of Q-angle, proprioception and kinesiology tape on lower limb landing biomechanics.

The testing involved in this project will occur across two separate sessions, one week apart. Each session will be conducted in the Charles Sturt University (Albury) Gait Lab, and will take approximately 30 minutes. The one week between testing sessions will serve as the wash-out period. The testing sessions will involve one participant at a time. Prior to attending the first testing session the participant will have looked over the information form, and completed the Consent Form, the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q), and the Activity and Injury Questionnaire. These will be be reviewed on arrival to ensure the potential participant is safe to complete testing. All testing will be carried out by three honours students and one supervisor. The honours students are third year students in the Podiatry (x 2) and Physiotherapy (x 1) undergraduate courses. All students have current first aid training. The supervisor has both Human Movement and Podiatry qualifications, and has over 10 years clinical experience. Prior to preparing the participant they will be allocated to either the kinesiology tape group, or the sham taping group for the first testing session. They will be testing with the alternate taping method at the subsequent testing session. The kinesiology tape will be applied under no tension, which is consistent with the recommendations presented in the manufacturers literature "PowerTaping - version 3.2'. The tape will be applied to the site of the muscle belly of the tibialis anterior, rectus femoris and biceps femoris. The location of the tape will also be in accordance with the recommendation provided in the manufacturers literature. The sham tape will be applied in exactly the same location and fashion described by the kinesiology tape manufacturer, however rigid tape will be applied as opposed to kinesiology tape. The participant preparation will involve application of 30 reflective markers for 3D motion analysis, and EMG sensors to assess muscle activity. Both will be adhered with double sided tape. The application of strapping tape will be completed by either the student or the supervisor, all of whom have training in the application of strapping tape (both rigid tape and kinesiology tape). The intensity of the activity being completed during testing would be best described as low-moderate intensity. The testing session will begin with five minutes of walking at a comfortable speed on a treadmill. The participant will be asked to complete a joint re-position test five times, and the star excursion balance test three times. This will be completed on a force plate, and with 3D motion analysis. The dynamic tests will include a hop test (takeoff and landing both on the non-dominant leg, and hopping from a distance 40% of the participants height), and a maximal vertical jump test. Each of the dynamic tests will be completed five times. These will also be completed on a force plate, and with 3D motion analysis.