Comparative Effects of Kinesio and Dynamic Taping on Ankle Performance in Basketball Players

NCT07404215 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: PI-DEMIRCIOGLU-2026
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 20
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

This study aims to compare the effects of two different ankle taping methods-kinesio taping and dynamic taping-on balance, vertical jump performance, and reaction time in basketball players. Basketball involves frequent jumping, rapid changes in direction, and single-leg balance tasks that place substantial demands on ankle stability. Reduced ankle stability may negatively affect athletic performance and increase injury risk. Taping methods are commonly used in sports settings to support the ankle joint and enhance functional performance; however, limited comparative evidence exists in basketball players. In this non-randomized, fixed-sequence crossover study, healthy male basketball players aged 18 to 30 years will receive both kinesio taping and dynamic taping applications separated by a one-week interval. Kinesio taping will be applied during the first session and dynamic taping during the second session. Each participant will serve as their own control. Performance assessments will be conducted immediately before and after each taping application. Outcome measures include dynamic balance assessed using the Y-Balance Test, vertical jump performance assessed using a mobile application-based jump test, and lower extremity visuomotor reaction time assessed using a visual stimulus-response task. All procedures are non-invasive and associated with minimal risk. The findings are expected to contribute to evidence-based taping strategies aimed at improving athletic performance and supporting ankle function in basketball players.

Conditions

Balance Performance; Vertical Jump Performance; Reaction Time; Basketball Players; Ankle Stability

Keywords

basketball; postural balance; ankle; reaction time; athletic tape

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Dynamic Balance Performance

  Dynamic balance performance will be assessed using the Y-Balance Test. Reach distances in the anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral directions will be measured and normalized to limb length. A composite Y-Balance score will be calculated for each condition.

  Immediately before and immediately after each taping condition

Study Arms (2)

Kinesio Taping - Dorsiflexion Technique

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants assigned to this arm will receive ankle kinesio taping applied with the ankle positioned in dorsiflexion during tape application. The elastic tape will be applied from the plantar surface of the foot toward the calcaneus, Achilles tendon, and gastrocnemius muscle following standardized kinesio taping principles. This application technique aims to enhance proprioceptive input and neuromuscular control while allowing full ankle range of motion. Performance outcomes including balance, vertical jump, and reaction time will be assessed before and after the intervention.

Other: Kinesio Taping

Dynamic Taping - Plantarflexion Technique

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants assigned to this arm will receive ankle dynamic taping applied with the ankle positioned in plantarflexion during tape application. The elastic tape will be applied using the same anatomical pathway and tension principles as the dorsiflexion technique, differing only in ankle positioning during application. This approach is intended to provide mechanical support and sensory feedback to the ankle joint without restricting movement. Balance, vertical jump performance, and reaction time will be evaluated before and after the intervention.

Other: Dynamic Taping

Interventions

Kinesio Taping OTHER

Kinesio taping is an elastic therapeutic taping method applied to the ankle to enhance proprioceptive input and neuromuscular control without restricting joint range of motion. In this study, kinesio taping is applied with the ankle positioned in dorsiflexion during application. The elastic tape is applied from the plantar surface of the foot across the calcaneus and Achilles tendon toward the gastrocnemius muscle following standardized kinesio taping principles.

Kinesio Taping - Dorsiflexion Technique

Dynamic Taping OTHER

Dynamic taping is an elastic therapeutic taping method designed to provide mechanical load absorption and elastic recoil support to the ankle joint. In this study, dynamic taping is applied with the ankle positioned in plantarflexion during application. The tape follows the same anatomical pathway from the plantar surface of the foot across the calcaneus and Achilles tendon toward the gastrocnemius muscle. This application aims to provide mechanical support and sensory feedback without restricting ankle range of motion.

Dynamic Taping - Plantarflexion Technique

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 30 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Male professional basketball players aged between 18 and 30 years
• Actively training and competing with a professional basketball team
• No history of lower extremity surgery within the past 6 months
• No acute lower extremity injury at the time of assessment
• Ability to perform single-leg jumping, balance, and reaction time tests
• Willingness to participate in the study and provide written informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Presence of any acute musculoskeletal injury affecting the lower extremity
• History of ankle fracture, ligament rupture, or surgery within the past 6 months
• Neurological, vestibular, or systemic conditions affecting balance or motor performance
• Known allergy or skin reaction to adhesive taping materials
• Use of ankle bracing or taping within 48 hours prior to testing
• Inability to complete the assessment procedures

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Atlas University: lead

Related Publications (8)

• Gencoglu C, Ulupinar S, Ozbay S, Turan M, Savas BC, Asan S, Ince I. Validity and reliability of "My Jump app" to assess vertical jump performance: a meta-analytic review. Sci Rep. 2023 Nov 17;13(1):20137. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-46935-x.

  PMID: 37978338 BACKGROUND

• Brinkman C, Baez SE, Quintana C, Andrews ML, Heebner NR, Hoch MC, Hoch JM. The Reliability of an Upper- and Lower-Extremity Visuomotor Reaction Time Task. J Sport Rehabil. 2020 Oct 7;30(5):828-831. doi: 10.1123/jsr.2020-0146.

  PMID: 33027762 BACKGROUND

• Plisky P, Schwartkopf-Phifer K, Huebner B, Garner MB, Bullock G. Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Y-Balance Test Lower Quarter: Reliability, Discriminant Validity, and Predictive Validity. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2021 Oct 1;16(5):1190-1209. doi: 10.26603/001c.27634. eCollection 2021.

  PMID: 34631241 BACKGROUND

• Powden CJ, Dodds TK, Gabriel EH. THE RELIABILITY OF THE STAR EXCURSION BALANCE TEST AND LOWER QUARTER Y-BALANCE TEST IN HEALTHY ADULTS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2019 Sep;14(5):683-694.

  PMID: 31598406 BACKGROUND

• Nakajima MA, Baldridge C. The effect of kinesio(R) tape on vertical jump and dynamic postural control. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2013 Aug;8(4):393-406.

  PMID: 24175126 BACKGROUND

• Kodesh E, Benzoor MC, Dar G. Effect of dynamic tape on postural sway in individuals with chronic ankle instability. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2021 Oct;28:62-67. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2021.07.026. Epub 2021 Aug 8.

  PMID: 34776201 BACKGROUND

• Biz C, Nicoletti P, Tomasin M, Bragazzi NL, Di Rubbo G, Ruggieri P. Is Kinesio Taping Effective for Sport Performance and Ankle Function of Athletes with Chronic Ankle Instability (CAI)? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Medicina (Kaunas). 2022 Apr 29;58(5):620. doi: 10.3390/medicina58050620.

  PMID: 35630037 BACKGROUND

• Alawna M, Mohamed AA. Short-term and long-term effects of ankle joint taping and bandaging on balance, proprioception and vertical jump among volleyball players with chronic ankle instability. Phys Ther Sport. 2020 Nov;46:145-154. doi: 10.1016/j.ptsp.2020.08.015. Epub 2020 Aug 29.

  PMID: 32937273 BACKGROUND

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NON RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Asst. Prof. Dr.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 5, 2026
• First Posted: February 11, 2026
• Study Start: February 15, 2026
• Primary Completion: March 15, 2026
• Study Completion: March 15, 2026
• Last Updated: February 18, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share