Effect of Ankle Taping on Invertor and Evertor Muscle Strength in Patients with Chronic Functional Ankle Instability

The main object of this study was to investigate the effect of ankle taping on invertor and evertor muscle strength. This study was a non-experimental case control study. With Biodex dynamometer system, invertor and evertor Isokinetic peak torques were assessed eccentrically and concentrically at 2 different speeds; 60 and 120 degrees per seconds before and after taping. 30 subjects (15 healthy and 15 patients with chronic functional ankle instability, aged 18-30) participated for Isokinetic measurement randomly. Statistical analysis indicated significantly less eccentric peak torque of invertors at the speed of 60 and 120 degrees per second. Ankle taping increased invertor eccentric peak torque at 120 degree per second speed in patients group. Chronic functional ankle instability is not associated with deficits in evertor muscle strength. Deficit in eccentric invertor strength was found in the patients group and this may contribute to the symptoms of functional ankle instability. Findings of this study suggested that invertor muscle eccentric training and ankle taping must be placed in rehabilitation program of patients with functional ankle instability.