ACL Injury, Balance, Kinesiotape, Landing Error Scoring System (LESS), Proprioception
Conditions
Keywords
ankle, knee, acl injury, balance, proprioception, Landing Error Scoring System (LESS), kinesiotape
Brief summary
This study aims to evaluate and compare the acute effects of Kinesio taping applied to the knee and ankle on balance, proprioception, and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury risk using the Landing Error Scoring System (LESS). Designed as a randomized crossover trial, the study will include 24 healthy volleyball athletes with at least 5 years of experience. All participants will receive both ankle and knee taping interventions, separated by a one-week washout period. Assessments will be conducted at four time points: before and after each taping. Outcome measures include the Y-Balance Test, proprioception tests, and LESS.
Detailed description
Objective: This study aims to evaluate and compare the acute effects of Kinesio taping applied to the knee and ankle on balance, proprioception, and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury risk, assessed via the Landing Error Scoring System (LESS). Methods: A randomized crossover design will be used. The study will be conducted at Gazi University with 24 healthy adult volleyball athletes (≥18 years) who have been licensed players for at least 5 years. Participants will be randomly assigned to two experimental sequences: Group A: knee taping followed by ankle taping Group B: ankle taping followed by knee taping Each taping intervention will be separated by a one-week washout period. Assessments will be performed immediately before and after each taping session. Knee taping will be performed using a valgus-control spiral taping technique with 50% stretch. Ankle taping will be conducted using the figure-of-eight method, also with 50% stretch. All applications will be administered by the same licensed physiotherapist to ensure consistency. Outcome Measures: Balance: Y-Balance Test (anterior, posteromedial, posterolateral reach) Proprioception: Joint position sense tests for the knee and ankle (with eyes closed, angular replication tasks) Injury Risk: LESS test evaluating landing biomechanics and scoring 17 specific kinematic errors Statistical analyses will be performed using SPSS v24.0. Paired t-tests or Wilcoxon signed-rank tests will be used depending on data normality. A significance level of p\<0.05 will be adopted. Expected Results: Kinesio taping is expected to acutely enhance proprioceptive feedback and postural control in both the knee and ankle, resulting in improved landing mechanics and a reduction in ACL injury risk. The relative effectiveness of each taping site will also be compared.
Interventions
PROCEDUREKinesio Taping (KT) applied to the knee then ankle
Procedure/Surgery: Procedure/Surgery: Kinesio Taping (KT) applied to the knee or ankle Kinesio taping was applied using a standard Y-strip with approximately 50% tension over the dominant lower extremity. In the Knee Taping condition, the tape was applied over the vastus medialis oblique and patellar tendon. In the Ankle Taping condition, the tape was applied over the peroneus longus and tibialis anterior muscles. Each taping intervention was performed by a trained physiotherapist and remained in place during the assessment session. The purpose of the intervention is to examine the acute effects of kinesio taping on balance, proprioception, and ACL injury risk using the Landing Error Scoring System (LESS).
PROCEDUREKinesio Taping (KT) applied to the ankle then knee
Kinesio taping was applied using a standard Y-strip with approximately 50% tension over the dominant lower extremity. In the Knee Taping condition, the tape was applied over the vastus medialis oblique and patellar tendon. In the Ankle Taping condition, the tape was applied over the peroneus longus and tibialis anterior muscles. Each taping intervention was performed by a trained physiotherapist and remained in place during the assessment session. The purpose of the intervention is to examine the acute effects of kinesio taping on balance, proprioception, and ACL injury risk using the Landing Error Scoring System (LESS).
Sponsors
Tokat Gaziosmanpasa University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)
Intervention model description
This study is a randomized crossover trial in which each participant receives both kinesio taping interventions-one applied to the ankle and the other to the knee-with a one-week washout period between conditions. Participants are randomly assigned to either Group A (knee taping first, then ankle taping) or Group B (ankle taping first, then knee taping). Assessments are conducted immediately before and after each taping application. The study aims to compare the acute effects of taping on balance, proprioception, and ACL injury risk using standardized clinical outcome measures.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 45 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Volunteering to participate in the study * Being 18 years of age or older * Being a licensed and regular volleyball player for at least 5 years
Exclusion criteria
* Being enrolled in another study or treatment program * Being unable to complete the study for any other reason * Having suffered a lower extremity injury within 6 months prior to participating in the study * Female participants must be in their menstrual cycle
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Landing biomechanics score based on LESS (Landing Error Scoring System) | Immediately after each taping intervention (same day) | The Landing Error Scoring System (LESS) is a reliable observational tool used to identify high-risk movement patterns associated with ACL injury. Participants will perform a standardized drop-jump task, and movement errors will be scored using the LESS protocol. A higher score indicates greater movement dysfunction and a potentially elevated risk of ACL injury. The scoring will be performed by a trained assessor using video analysis from frontal and sagittal views. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Dynamic balance score based on the Y-Balance Test | Immediately after each taping intervention (same day) | The Y-Balance Test is a reliable clinical tool used to assess dynamic balance and neuromuscular control of the lower extremity. Participants will be asked to perform maximal reach in three directions (anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral) while maintaining single-leg stance on the dominant leg. The composite score will be calculated based on reach distances normalized to leg length. |
| Proprioception accuracy based on joint position sense | Immediately after each taping intervention (same day) | Joint position sense (JPS) will be assessed using a digital inclinometer to evaluate the ability to reproduce specific knee and ankle joint angles. Participants will be blindfolded and asked to actively replicate a target angle, and the absolute angular error (in degrees) between target and replicated positions will be recorded. Lower error indicates better proprioceptive accuracy. |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Contacts
Primary ContactZuhal Şevval Gökdere
Outcome results
None listed