Comparative Effects of Kinesio and Dynamic Taping on Ankle Performance in Basketball Players (KT-DT-BB)

February 15, 2026 updated by: Gamze Demircioğlu, Atlas University

Comparison of the Effects of Kinesio Taping and Dynamic Taping Applied to the Ankle on Vertical Jump, Balance, and Reaction Time in Basketball Players

This study aims to compare the effects of two different ankle taping methods-kinesio taping and dynamic taping-on balance, vertical jump performance, and reaction time in basketball players.

Basketball involves frequent jumping, rapid changes in direction, and single-leg balance tasks that place substantial demands on ankle stability. Reduced ankle stability may negatively affect athletic performance and increase injury risk. Taping methods are commonly used in sports settings to support the ankle joint and enhance functional performance; however, limited comparative evidence exists in basketball players.

In this non-randomized, fixed-sequence crossover study, healthy male basketball players aged 18 to 30 years will receive both kinesio taping and dynamic taping applications separated by a one-week interval. Kinesio taping will be applied during the first session and dynamic taping during the second session. Each participant will serve as their own control. Performance assessments will be conducted immediately before and after each taping application.

Outcome measures include dynamic balance assessed using the Y-Balance Test, vertical jump performance assessed using a mobile application-based jump test, and lower extremity visuomotor reaction time assessed using a visual stimulus-response task.

All procedures are non-invasive and associated with minimal risk. The findings are expected to contribute to evidence-based taping strategies aimed at improving athletic performance and supporting ankle function in basketball players.

Study Overview

Status

Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

This study is designed as a non-randomized, controlled, two-period fixed-sequence crossover investigation examining the acute effects of two elastic ankle taping techniques in competitive basketball players.

A total of 20 licensed male basketball players aged between 18 and 30 years voluntarily participate in the study after providing written informed consent. Each participant undergoes two separate testing sessions spaced one week apart. Kinesio taping is applied during the first session and Dynamic taping during the second session. This within-subject crossover structure allows comparison of acute responses while minimizing inter-individual variability.

All sessions are conducted in the same indoor environment under standardized conditions. Testing is performed at similar times of day for each participant. All taping procedures and performance assessments are carried out by the same researcher to ensure procedural consistency.

Taping Application Protocol Before tape application, the skin over the ankle and posterior lower leg is cleaned using an alcohol-based solution. Participants are positioned prone with the knee flexed and hip extended during preparation.

During Kinesio taping application, the ankle is positioned in dorsiflexion. During Dynamic taping application, the ankle is positioned in plantarflexion. The tape is applied beginning from the metatarsal head region along the plantar surface of the foot, extending across the calcaneus and Achilles tendon, and continuing proximally to include the gastrocnemius muscle. When the application reaches the knee region, the knee is brought into extension and the procedure is completed. All applications follow standardized procedures described in the literature.

Performance assessments are conducted immediately before and immediately after each taping application within the same session to evaluate acute effects.

Vertical Jump Assessment Vertical jump performance is assessed using the My Jump 2 mobile application. A single-leg jump protocol is performed using the dominant leg. Participants begin in an upright position with hands placed on the hips. They perform a rapid downward movement followed by a maximal vertical jump. Forced ankle dorsiflexion during the flight phase is not allowed.

Three trials are performed under standardized verbal instructions, and the best performance is retained for analysis. The application calculates jump height (cm), flight time (ms), velocity (m/s), force (N), and power (W) from video analysis.

Dynamic Balance Assessment Dynamic balance is evaluated using the Lower Quarter Y-Balance Test. Participants stand barefoot at the center of the testing grid while maintaining hands on the hips. The dominant leg serves as the stance limb while the contralateral limb reaches in the anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral directions.

Three trials are performed in each direction. Maximum reach distances are recorded and normalized to limb length. A composite score is calculated using the formula:

Composite (%) = [(Anterior + Posteromedial + Posterolateral) / (3 × Limb Length)] × 100 Visuomotor Reaction Time Assessment Lower extremity visuomotor reaction time is assessed using a light-based visual stimulus-response task. Participants begin at a standardized starting position and respond to illuminated modules by contacting the activated target as quickly as possible.

Each participant completes three 30-second practice trials followed by a one-minute recorded trial. Thirty-second rest intervals are provided between attempts to minimize fatigue effects. The stance limb during testing is considered the dominant side according to the study protocol.

Statistical Analysis Data are analyzed using appropriate statistical software. Continuous variables are reported as mean ± standard deviation or median values depending on distribution. Normality is assessed using the Shapiro-Wilk test.

Within-condition pre-post comparisons are analyzed using paired statistical tests. Differences between Kinesio taping and Dynamic taping are evaluated by comparing change scores between conditions. Effect sizes are calculated to quantify magnitude of differences. Statistical significance is set at p < 0.05.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

20

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Male professional basketball players aged between 18 and 30 years
  • Actively training and competing with a professional basketball team
  • No history of lower extremity surgery within the past 6 months
  • No acute lower extremity injury at the time of assessment
  • Ability to perform single-leg jumping, balance, and reaction time tests
  • Willingness to participate in the study and provide written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Presence of any acute musculoskeletal injury affecting the lower extremity
  • History of ankle fracture, ligament rupture, or surgery within the past 6 months
  • Neurological, vestibular, or systemic conditions affecting balance or motor performance
  • Known allergy or skin reaction to adhesive taping materials
  • Use of ankle bracing or taping within 48 hours prior to testing
  • Inability to complete the assessment procedures

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Prevention
  • Allocation: Non-Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Kinesio Taping - Dorsiflexion Technique
Participants assigned to this arm will receive ankle kinesio taping applied with the ankle positioned in dorsiflexion during tape application. The elastic tape will be applied from the plantar surface of the foot toward the calcaneus, Achilles tendon, and gastrocnemius muscle following standardized kinesio taping principles. This application technique aims to enhance proprioceptive input and neuromuscular control while allowing full ankle range of motion. Performance outcomes including balance, vertical jump, and reaction time will be assessed before and after the intervention.
Other: Kinesio Taping
Kinesio taping is an elastic therapeutic taping method applied to the ankle to enhance proprioceptive input and neuromuscular control without restricting joint range of motion. In this study, kinesio taping is applied with the ankle positioned in dorsiflexion during application. The elastic tape is applied from the plantar surface of the foot across the calcaneus and Achilles tendon toward the gastrocnemius muscle following standardized kinesio taping principles.
Experimental: Dynamic Taping - Plantarflexion Technique
Participants assigned to this arm will receive ankle dynamic taping applied with the ankle positioned in plantarflexion during tape application. The elastic tape will be applied using the same anatomical pathway and tension principles as the dorsiflexion technique, differing only in ankle positioning during application. This approach is intended to provide mechanical support and sensory feedback to the ankle joint without restricting movement. Balance, vertical jump performance, and reaction time will be evaluated before and after the intervention.
Other: Dynamic Taping
Dynamic taping is an elastic therapeutic taping method designed to provide mechanical load absorption and elastic recoil support to the ankle joint. In this study, dynamic taping is applied with the ankle positioned in plantarflexion during application. The tape follows the same anatomical pathway from the plantar surface of the foot across the calcaneus and Achilles tendon toward the gastrocnemius muscle. This application aims to provide mechanical support and sensory feedback without restricting ankle range of motion.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Dynamic Balance Performance
Time Frame: Immediately before and immediately after each taping condition
Dynamic balance performance will be assessed using the Y-Balance Test. Reach distances in the anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral directions will be measured and normalized to limb length. A composite Y-Balance score will be calculated for each condition.
Immediately before and immediately after each taping condition

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Atlas University

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

February 15, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

March 15, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

March 15, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

February 5, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

February 5, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

February 11, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

February 18, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

February 15, 2026

Last Verified

February 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Other Study ID Numbers

  • PI-DEMIRCIOGLU-2026

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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