an exploratory study on the acute effects of proprioceptive exercise and/or neuromuscular taping on balance performance

Background: this study aimed at investigating the acute effects of combined exercise and taping in comparison to isolated proprioceptive exercise (exercise) and ankle neuromuscular taping (taping) on one - leg stability performance in rugby players. methods: stability tests, performed on a stabilometric platform, were assessed for stability before and after above interventions. performed stability tests were one - leg static stance (dominant leg and non - dominant leg) each with eyes open and eyes closed. the assessed dependent variables were: centre of pressure (cop) path length; cop speed; medio - lateral, and anterior - posterior sway. sixteen male rugby players (27.3 ± 3.3 years; 177.3 ± 7.3 cm; 88.8 ± 15.2 kg) from a non - professional rugby team were tested in all above conditions, according to a cross - over study design. results: most of investigated variables improved following exercise + taping (cop path length -18.2/ -15.6%, cop speed -22.8/-17.7%, and anterior-posterior sway -21.0/ -16.3%), in comparison with the other two protocols. exercise + taping improved the stability control by combining the effects of both proprioceptive exercise and neuromuscular taping. conclusions: such findings could suggest the benefits of planning long - term strategies using exercise + taping protocols for improving the functional stability and for preventing re - occuring injuries.