A critical appraisal of "The effect of ankle support on lower limb kinematics during the y- balance test using non- linear dynamic measures"

My interest to critically appraise this article came from my interest on issues of the ankle and base of support with individuals with chronic ankle instability, and in my interests in kinesiology taping. It provided useful knowledge to help me answer my clinical question, "if the use of Kinesiology Tape potentially decrease probability of rolling an ankle in the future for those individuals with chronic ankle instability?"� The target population are those with recurrent ankle sprains, not limited to athletes or any other factors. The value would be to critically appraise an article based on a subject that there is very little research over since it is a newer method of treatment.Feedforward and feedback dynamic mechanisms of the knee and ankle joints were assessed with and without taping for myoelectric muscle activity and joint angle changes during the Y test. The Y balance test consists of balancing on one leg, and reaching over to the anterior, posterolateral, and posteromedial directions. 41 participants with chronic ankle instability between the ages of 18 and 34 with no health complications that would prohibit them from participating in the study completed 5 trials without KT tape, with KT tape, and with strapping tape. The KT tape was applied without tension and were applied to the gastrocnemius and rectus femoris while the muscle underwent stretch. An anti-eversion strap was also applied to the foot starting at the inside of the lower tibia extending over the lateral malleolus, under the arch of the foot, up over the medial malleolus, and finishing at the lateral border of the lower tibia overlying the fibularis muscle. The strapping tape was applied in the same manner. Data was collected with the Visual 3D program that assesses joint angle changes in multiple planes, and muscle activity was tracked via an EMG device. SvdEn (statistical analysis method) proved more stability in the internal-external and anterior-posterior directions with both KT and strapping tape. HDf (statistical analysis method) showed only a significant increase in joint mediolateral directions. In conclusion, it was proven that taping significantly lowered ankle movement in the transverse and frontal plane. Taping was sufficient to influence adaptability and neurological stimuli.