Abstract

Introduction: Foot over-pronation, attributable to Tibialis Posterior (TP) muscle weakness, is a possible cause of medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS)3. Taping may provide a viable alternative for a dysfunctional TP and its associated navicular drop (ND). The most commonly used Augmented LowDye (ALD) technique has shown to prevent ND, but is time- and cost- intensive, leading us to explore an alternative technique. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a new, anti-pronation (AP) taping technique, as compared to the ALD, to (a) reduce or prevent ND and (b) cause a lateral shift in the center of pressure (COP) measures. Methods: This is a 2 (tape techniques) by 3 (time: baseline, tape/pre-exercise, and tape/post-exercise) controlled laboratory study design. Twenty symptomatic (ND >/= 10 mm) college-age subjects were prepared with one of the 2 tape techniques and/or control and performed the ND test three times and walk across a pressure mat five times. Then the participants fatigued the tape by walking on a treadmill for 15 minutes at 3.0 mph at 0% grade and ND and pressure mat readings were recorded again. A within and within ANOVA allowed for the examination of between and within comparisons and a functional analysis (lateral shift as a function of time) on the mat-generated data were done p<.05. Results: Results revealed significant differences across times, and a times-by-tape technique interaction but differences between tape techniques were not significant. M and SD and indicate that while both taping techniques reduced ND, only the AP technique was significantly different (HSDTukey (3,76)=1.44, p<.01) for every comparison other than AP pre-exercise, the mean lateral shift for the treatment was not significantly different from the control across any part of the normalized stance phase, but was significantly lower than the control in the 30-90% interval in the AP pre-exercise. Discussion: The AP technique not only controlled ND but also resulted in an increase in lateral excursion of the COP line during that portion of the stance phase associated with the structures and functions of the TP. Both techniques can be appropriately used but that the AP can be used with more confidence in its effectiveness. The MatScan has allowed examination of forefoot pronation in the horizontal plane, not just the vertical plane, yielding a more holistic analysis of forefoot pronation. Being able to analyze data in a functional fashion (i.e., lateral shift as a function of time) could allow researchers greater insights to the complex relationships between biomechanical movement and appropriate interventions.

Degree

College and Department

Life Sciences; Exercise Sciences

Rights

http://lib.byu.edu/about/copyright/