Gastrocnemius kinesiotaping to improve dynamic balance performance in middle-age healthy men: Protocol of randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Background. The adhesive taping is supposed to improve joint stability and proprio-ception and enhance the physical protection in unpredictable situations. Hypothesis/purpose. The aim of present study was to compare the effect of facilitato-ry gastrocnemius taping on dynamic balance and muscle activity during Y-balance test in healthy middle-age men. Study design. Double-blinded (participant, assessor) randomized control trial. Methods. 30 healthy middle-age men who were not routinely involved in exercise program were randomly assigned in Kinesio Taping® and sham group. They took part in Y-balance test before, immediately, 20 minutes and 24 hours after taping. Y-bal-ance records and medial and lateral gastrocnemius activity were reported for each test. Between group and within group changes were analyzed using independent T test and repeated measures. Correlation between Y-balance record and gastrocnemius activity were be analyzed using person correlation test.