The effects of kinesiology tape and dynamic tape on the Y balance test

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify whether Kinesiology tape or dynamic tape had an effect on Y balance test (YBT) results in rugby players. A group of 17 male semi professional rugby players who play for Aberavon RFC participated in the study. The YBT was used to measure all the participant’s dynamic balance. All participants completed the YBT, to provide baseline data; they were then randomly split in to three groups. Once tested, each participant was randomly allocated into one of three groups: A control group, Kinesiology group or dynamic tape group. The participants were retested two weeks later, however groups two and three had the respective tape applied during the test. The tape was applied laterally down the leg from the greater trochanter to the underside of the 5th metatarsal. The results showed that there was no statistical significance between the group interaction (p>0.05). Despite this, It is suggested that from the trends of the results that the kinesiology tape has an affect on YBT results in rugby players (not in general). These results therefore are similar to previous research that stated that side lateral taping of the lower leg has a positive affect on balance in the medial/lateral plane (Euparadorn and Karpatkin, (2012). Further research needs to be carried out in this area to give greater theoretical underpinning to the effects of taping on balance. This is due to balance playing a major role within rugby and also general day to day tasks