‘IMMEDIATE EFFECT OF ANKLE PROPHYLACTIC SUPPORT AS A PREVENTIVE TOOL TO DECREASE LOWER LIMB INJURY AMONG TAEKWONDO PLAYERS – A CROSSOVER RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIAL.’
Description
Background: Taekwondo is a high intensity Olympic combat sport and is among the top 5 sports with the highest injury prevalence. Repetitive ankle injuries may lead to chronic ankle instability, that negatively affect balance and performance. Preventive measures such as ankle prophylactic supports are commonly used like athletic taping, Kinesio-taping, and ankle binders applied prior to high-intensity activity. Aim of the Study: to evaluate the effectiveness of ankle prophylactic support as a preventive measure to reduce the incidence and severity of injuries among taekwondo athletes, using crossover trial design. Methodology: A randomised crossover trial was conducted, where 24 young taekwondo athletes 14 males and 10 females were selected by age, playing experience, and athletic identification scale. Participants are grouped as athletic taping, Kinesio taping, and ankle binder. Dynamic balance was assessed using the SEBT as a pre-test, followed by giving ankle support and an immediate post-test. Data were analysed using SPSS. Results: the demographic characteristics other than age showed homogenous distribution but outcome measures were not-normally distributed, inferential statistics show statistically non-significant difference in between group analysis SEBT, though there was difference when within group analysis was between pre-test data and post-test data, also, statistically significant difference was seen in SL-LESS in between group as well within group analysis where Rigid taping has the highest significant difference. Conclusion: Rigid taping showed better immediate increase in stability, hence decreasing the landing errors in SL-LESS and dynamic balance compared to KT and ankle binders in taekwondo athletes. Hence, we can conclude that rigid taping can be used as an appropriate preventive external support to decrease lower limb injury. Implication: Clinically by using Rigid tape we can improve Stability, restrict the excessive Range of motion and improve dynamic balance of taekwondo athletes and ultimately improve control and decrease lower limb injuries. Keywords: ankle injuries, athletes, elastic tape, athletic tape, sports