An Analysis of Kinesio® Tape on Mitigation of Dynamic Knee Valgus

Participants will completed a 5 minute warm-up on a stationary bike. Next, participants will perform 3 practice trials of the double leg jump landing (DJL) test off of a 30 cm box. In order for the trial to count the participants need to maintain their landing posture for at least 2 seconds, if they are unable to do so the trial will be repeated. After the completion of three practice trials of the DJL test, the first taping condition will be applied. Each participant will receive 3 taping conditions to the dominant leg, a gluteus medius facilitation (GM), a spiral technique (ST), and no tape (NT). The order of conditions will be randomized. The use of a no tape condition will act a control for both the jumping protocol and the Y-balance test. For this condition, no tape or intervention of any kind will be applied to the subject before completing either tasks. Regardless of the order of randomly assigned taping condition, the participant will rest 10 minutes in a non-weight bearing position before completing a round of testing. During the 10-minute rest, 3D motion analysis sensors will be placed on the participant to assess hip internal rotation and knee valgus in the frontal plane. After the sensors are applied, the first follow-up Y Balance Test will be completed. Each participant will complete the Y Balance Test 3 times, once for each condition. For the trial to count, the reach foot is not permitted to touch the floor and the hands have to remain stationary on the pelvis. If the participant fails to meet the testing criteria, the trial will be repeated. At the end of the trial, each testing direction distance will be written down and a mean score will be calculated. Following the first Y balance test, three DJL tests will be performed, each separated by a 60-second rest period. Once the participant completes 3 approved trials, the first taping condition will be removed and the procedure will be repeated for the second and third taping procedures.