Delayed latency of peroneal reflex to sudden inversion with ankle taping or bracing

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of ankle taping and bracing based on the peroneal reflex in the hypermobile and normal ankle joints with and without history of ankle injury. Thirty-six ankle joints of 18 collegiate American football athletes with and without previous history of injury were studied. The angle of talar tilt (TT) was measured by stress radiograph for classifying normal (TT <= 5 degrees) or hypermobile (TT > 5 degrees) ankles. They were tested with taping, bracing, and without any supports as a control. The latency of peroneus longus muscle was measured by a sudden inversion of 25 degrees using surface EMG signals. The results of the present study show no significant three-way Group (hypermobile or normal ankles) by History (previously injured or uninjured ankles) by Condition (control, taping, or bracing) interaction, while Condition main effect was significant (p < 0.05). There were significant differences between control (80.8 ms) and taping (83.8 ms, p < 0.01), between control and bracing (83.0 ms, p < 0.05), but not between taping and bracing (p > 0.05). In conclusion, ankle taping and bracing delayed the peroneal reflex latency not only for hypermobile ankles and/ or injured ankle joints but also for intact ankle joints.