Kinesiology tape mediates soccer simulated and local peroneal fatigue in soccer players

To investigate the efficacy of kinesiology taping in mediating the influence of fatigue on ankle sprain risk, twelve male soccer players completed single leg dynamic balance trials pre- and post-exercise (soccer-specific protocol, isokinetic ankle inversion/eversion protocol) in each of three counter-balanced taping conditions (no tape, zinc oxide tape ZO, kinesiology tape KT). Balance was quantified as the overall stability index (OSI) and directional stability indices of platform deflection. Soccer-specific fatigue only increased OSI in the no tape condition (P = 0.03), with ZO and KT trials negating a fatigue affect. Localised fatigue increased OSI in the no tape (P = 0.01) and ZO (P = 0.05) trials, with no increase in the KT trial. A similar pattern was observed in medio-lateral and anterio-posterior balance indices. Kinesiology tape mediates soccer simulated and local peroneal fatigue, with practical implications for epidemiological observations of increased injury risk during the latter stages of match-play.