The effect of ankle Kinesio taping on range of motion and agility during exercise in university students

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of ankle Kinesio taping on range of motion and agility during exercise in university students. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Thirty subjects were randomly allocated to two groups: taping group (n=15) and non-taping group (n=15). All groups underwent the same exercise program including stretching for 30 minutes. The exercise program proceeded in the following order: five minutes of stretching, a 20-minutes exercise program, and additional five minutes of stretching. Of the eight exercise methods suggested by Purcell et al, seven were chosen (lateral shuffle, forward and backward running, agility ladder, figure-of-8, forward jogging while jumping over cones, wall jumps and zigzags); $90^{\circ}$ cuts with lateral shuffle were omitted. The range of motion of ankle dorsiflexion and plantarflexion was measured using the goniometer. Agility was measured using the side hop test. Results: For ankle range of motion, the taping group showed significant differences in dorsiflexion and plantarflexion on both sides (p<0.05). The non-taping group showed significant differences only in left plantarflexion (p<0.05). There was a significant difference in dorsiflexion on both sides between the taping group and the non-taping group (p<0.05). All groups showed significant differences in agility on the left and right ankle (p<0.05). There was a significant difference in left ankles between the taping group and the non-taping group (p<0.05). Conclusions: Kinesio taping increased range of motion and agility during exercise in university students. Additional research on Kinesio taping for improving range of motion and agility is needed.