Marlena Skwiot, Zbigniew Śliwiński

M. Skwiot, Z. Śliwiński – Evaluation of the effects of dynamic taping in changing the selected motor characteristics in hypermobile dancers; Fizjoterapia Polska 2018; 18(1); 14-24

Abstract

Introduction. Dynamic taping is enjoying ever-growing popularity as an effective aid for treating injuries both in professional and non-professional dancers. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the application of dynamic taping in improving the selected motor characteristics in hypermobile dancers. Materials and methods. The study included a total of 46 female concert dancers between 18 and 25 years of age (M = 20.06, SD = 2.67), specialized in jazz dancing, who had been diagnosed with joint hypermobility syndrome using the Sachs scale. Within the examined group, dynamic taping was applied following the screening tests, and the applications were changed three times (every 7 days) during the therapy. The observed changes in motor characteristics were assessed using the muscle flexibility tests, the muscle strength measurements performed with a dynamometer and the hip joint mobility measurements carried out with a digital inclinometer. Results: The application of dynamic taping produced statistically significant results in the restoration of normal muscle flexibility. The analysis results confirmed the effectiveness of applying dynamic taping in increasing muscle strength as well as active mobility range of the hip joint in dancers (p < 0.05). Findings: The multidisciplinary physical therapy of dancers should include a variety of techniques and methods, with particular emphasis on the appropriate selection of dynamic taping applications. The increase in muscle tone with the simultaneous increase in the active mobility range of the hip joint and the reduction of subjective pain sensation confirm the beneficial impact of dynamic taping on the changes of motor characteristics related to the joint hypermobility syndrome.

Key words:
dancing, hypermobility, dynamic taping