Comparison of the Short Term Effects of Kinesiotaping and Muscle Stretching of Gastrocnemius on Postural Balance in Young Adults

Maintaining balance and postural stability is a complex process resulting from the interaction of different systems. Kinesiotaping and stretching techniques are the therapeutic techniques used in physical therapy that are effective in improving the balance. Given the few studies evaluating the effect of these two therapeutic interventions on balance and lack of a study comparing them with each other, the present study was conducted to compare the effect of these interventions on the balance of young individuals. In the current single blind randomized clinical trial, 40 young male and female volunteers were selected and were randomly assigned into two groups of Kinesiotaping and stretching. The inhibitory Y-shaped tape with 25% tension was applied on Gastrocnemius. The muscle was stretched for 60 seconds for 4 times in the stretching group. Static Balance (COP excursion and velocity) was examined with Force Plate before and after the interventions. According to abnormal distribution of data based on Shapiro-Wilk test, Mann-Whitney Test was used for between group and Wilcoxon Test was used for within group analyses. Although based on the Wilcoxon test, COP excursion and velocity showed the decreasing trend before and after the intervention, none of the changes were significant (P˃0.05). Comparison of the two groups based on Mann-Whitney Test showed no significant differences in the variables before and after the interventions (Anterioposterior COP Excursion, Velocity: P=0.3, Mediolateral COP Excursion, Velocity: P=0.1) According to the results, it seems that none of the kinesiotype and gastrocnemius stretching had any effect on the balance of healthy young people.