35th Annual Student Research Conference
The Effect of Achilles Tendon and Ankle Inversion Taping on Vertical Jump Height
Hannah Lowrance♦* and Daniel DeLaPorte♦
Dr. Brandy Schneider, Faculty Mentor
Introduction: Applying tape to injured structures of the body is common practice for athletic trainers to provide structural aid and reduce pain. Athletes report that tape is uncomfortable and express concerns of decreased athletic performance. Purpose: The purpose is to determine if lower leg taping decreases athletic performance in male collegiate basketball players. Subjects: Subjects were twelve collegiate men’s basketball players over 18 years and without lower body injury in the past three months. Methods: The subject performed three maximal vertical jumps under three testing conditions. Random selection determined the order of Achilles, prophylactic ankle, or no tape. Results: Sixty-seven percent of subjects achieved their highest vertical jump with Achilles tape (M = 10.26’), 33% with ankle tape (M = 10.28’), and 25% with no tape (M = 10.31’). Discussion: Based on the results, taping for an Achilles injury would not hinder performance.
Keywords: athletic, vertical jump, ankle, achilles, tape
Topic(s):Athletic Training
Presentation Type: Oral Presentation
Session: 101-4
Location: SUB Alumni Room
Time: 9:15
♦ Indicates Truman Graduate Student