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Evidence summaries

Influence of Ankle Support on Joint Range of Motion Before and after Exercise

The semi-rigid support condition appears to offer the greatest restriction of motion in the frontal plane, whereas taping appears to offer the most support for limiting dorsiflexion range of motion. Level of evidence: "B"

A systematic review 1 including 19 studies with a total of 327 subjects was abstracted in DARE. Before exercise, the semi-rigid bracing (mean -2.97, SD=0.63) offered greater restriction of range of motion (ROM) than tape (mean -2.33, SD=0.38) and lace-up bracing (mean -2.18, SD=0.86)

After exercise, the semi-rigid bracing (mean -3.85, SD=0.64) offered greater restriction of ROM than tape (mean -1.07, SD=0.20) and lace-up bracing (mean -1.56, SD=0.29). There was no difference between the mean effect sizes for tape and lace-up support.

Before exercise, the semi-rigid bracing (mean -2.69, SD=0.43) offered greater restriction of ROM than tape (mean -1.00, SD=0.21) and lace-up bracing (mean -1.40, SD=0.47). Lace-up offered more support than tape alone. Similar results were seen after exercise, but the level of statistical significance was unclear.

Tape braces (mean -0.94, SD=0.06) gave more support than lace-up braces (mean -0.51, SD=0.06).

References

  • Cordova ML, Ingersoll CD, LeBlanc MJ. Influence of ankle support on joint range of motion before and after exercise: a meta-analysis. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2000 Apr;30(4):170-7; discussion 178-82. [PubMed] [DARE]

Primary/Secondary Keywords