Athletic taping is used to provide protection and stabilization to a joint that was previously injured or is susceptible to injury. Common joints taped in volleyball include the ankle, knee, fingers, wrist and shoulder. Although athletic taping may influence your volleyball performance, other factors such as pain, swelling and muscle strength need to be considered as well. Discuss your concerns with your athletic trainer or physician.
Stability
Taping around joints may provide additional joint stability and help maintain joint alignment. According to a University of Toledo study, taping of the kneecap in individuals with patellofemoral pain syndrome improved kneecap alignment and knee stability during single-leg balance. If you have patellofemoral pain syndrome, chronic knee pain or misalignment of your kneecap, taping of your kneecap may improve your volleyball performance like agility and jumping. Taping of other joints such as your ankles may also improve stabilization, but the effects on volleyball performance have not been adequately studied, according to a 2006 "British Journal of Sports medicine" article.
Range of Motion
Because athletic taping helps provide protection and stability, it may also restrict movement. A loss of joint range of motion may negatively impact volleyball performance such as decreasing your agility. Athletic tape, however, stretches with use and therefore may limit range of motion only temporarily. A 2008 Memorial University of Newfoundland study found that athletic taping of ankles decreased plantar flexion, but did not impair jumping. Therefore, athletic taping may have little to no impact on volleyball performance, regardless of limited range of motion.
Pain Management
Athletic taping after an injury may help reduce your pain while playing volleyball and therefore may improve your volleyball performance. According to a 2008 "Arthritis & Rheumatism" article, knee taping significantly reduced knee pain in chronic knee pain sufferers. Athletic taping solely for injury prevention, on the other hand, may cause pain or discomfort due to the restrictiveness of the tape and altered joint movements.
Additional Considerations
Lost playing time, the severity of your injury and symptoms such as swelling play a role in your volleyball performance as well. The joint taped and the method of taping are additional factors to consider when determining if taping is effecting your performance. For example, one taping method may seem too restrictive and uncomfortable, whereas another method may help improve your performance. The feel of the tape may also give you a false sense of security or be distracting, leading to another injury or poor performance. The effect of athletic taping on volleyball performance varies and the research is inconclusive. Therefore, discuss taping options with your physician or athletic trainer to determine what is best for you.
References
- "Journal of Athletic Training"; Patellar Taping, Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome, Lower Extremity Kinematics, and Dynamic Postural Control; Naoko Aminaka, M.S., A.T.C., et al.; 2008
- "North American Journal of Sports Physical Therapy"; The Effects of Two Adhesive Ankle-Taping Methods on Strength, Power and Range of Motion in Female Athletes; Katherine E. Quackenbush, et al.; February 2008
- "Arthritis and Rheumatism"; Patellar Taping and Bracing for the Treatment of Chronic Knee Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis; Stuart J. Warden, et al.; January 2008
- "British Journal of Sports Medicine"; Strategies for the Prevention of Volleyball Related Injuries; J. C. Reeser, et al.; March 2006
- "British Journal of Sports Medicine"; Role of Ankle Taping and Bracing in the Athlete; Michael J. Callaghan; 1997
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