Effect of Neuromuscular Exercises with Kinesio Tape on Balance, Function, and Pain in Volleyball Players with Chronic Ankle Instability

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of kinesio taping with neuromuscular exercises on the balance, performance, and pain intensity of volleyball players with chronic ankle instability.

The research population included all female volleyball players within the age range of 18 to 28 years old in Tehran. Totally, 30 participants with chronic ankle instability were selected using convenience sampling based on research criteria and were randomly divided into two groups of 15 (experimental and control groups). Next, as the pretest, participants’ data on static and dynamic balance, three single leg jumps performance, excursion balance, lateral jump performance, and pain intensity was evaluated using relevant standard questionnaire and tests. The experimental group received eight weeks of kinesio taping with selective neuromuscular exercises, while the control group did not receive any specific exercise. At the end of intervention period, post-tests were administered and the data were analyzed using statistical tests, including Shapiro-Wilk Test and the analysis of MANCOVA in SPSS,  version 21, at the significance level of α=0.05.

The results of the present study showed that eight weeks of kinesio taping with neuromuscular exercises have positively significant effects on the variables including lateral jump performance, three single leg jumps performance, pain intensity, and the static and dynamic balance of volleyball players with chronic ankle instability (P=0.001).

It is recommended that athletes with the same disorder, and especially volleyball players with chronic ankle instability, use kinesio taping with neuromuscular exercises in the training period during exercises, in championships and in their health and rehabilitation protocols.