Immediate Effect of Calf Muscle Kinesio Taping on Ankle Joint Reposition Sense and Force Sense in Healthy Elderly

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the immediate effects of calf muscle Kinesio taping on ankle joint reposition sense (JRS) and force sense (FS) in healthy elderly. Methods: Thirteen healthy elderly subjects were participated in this study. The error of ankle JRS and FS was evaluated by 3D motion capture device and digital dynamometer depending on three different taping conditions (Kinesio taping, sham taping, and no taping) respectively. All of subjects were asked to perform a proprioceptive task of ankle JRS and FS. One-way repeated ANOVA test was used to compare the error of JRS and FS depending on three different taping conditions. Results: With Kinesio taping over calf muscle, ankle joint reposition sense error and force sense error significantly decreased, if compared with a sham taping or no taping condition. Conclusion: To apply Kinesio taping over calf muscle could enhance ankle proprioceptive sense in the elderly people.