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Effects of athletic taping of the fetlock on distal limb mechanics.
Abstract: Athletic taping is used frequently by human athletes to stabilise, maintain or strengthen soft tissue structures, but empirical evidence supporting any changes in equine kinematics is lacking. Objective: To assess the effects of athletic taping of the fetlock applied by an experienced athletic trainer on forelimb mechanics in healthy horses. Objective: That athletic taping of the distal forelimb reduces 1) hyperextension of the fetlock joint during stance, 2) flexion of the fetlock joint during swing and 3) ground reaction forces during stance. Methods: Ground reaction force and kinematic data were obtained for 6 healthy horses trotting at 3 m/sec for 4 sequential conditions (baseline, untaped; pre-exercise, taped; post exercise, taped post 30 mins trotting exercise; transfer, 4 h after tape removal). Data were analysed using 2-way mixed ANOVAs (condition; joint). Results: A statistically significant interaction was identified for the fetlock during the swing phase (mean +/- s.d. peak flexion at baseline 157 +/- 4 degrees, reduced with taping to 172 +/- 4 degrees; P<0.05) compared with no differences across conditions for the other joints. Peak vertical force reduced significantly (P<0.05) with taping. Conclusions: Athletic taping of the fetlock does not alter the kinematics of the forelimb during stance, but does limit flexion of the fetlock during the swing phase. The decreased peak vertical force may be due to an increased proprioceptive effect. Conclusions: Reduced peak vertical forces may be of benefit in preventing or reducing injury. Further investigation remains necessary before it can be concluded that taping should be applied for tendinous or ligamentous rehabilitation in equine patients.
Publication Date: 2005-01-20 PubMed ID: 15656512DOI: 10.2746/0425164044848127Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
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This research explores the effect of athletic taping on the mechanics of a horse’s forelimb, specifically the fetlock joint. Researchers found that taping reduced hyperextension and flexion of the fetlock joint during different phases of movement and lessened ground reaction forces, potentially aiding in injury prevention.
Objective
- The primary objective of this study was to analyze the impact of athletic taping on the fetlock joint of a horse’s forelimb. The tape application was completed by a seasoned athletic trainer. The study hypothesized that applying athletic tape on horses’ legs would decrease hyperextension of the fetlock joint during the stance phase of movement, decrease the bending of the same during swing, and minimize ground reaction forces during the standing phase.
Methodology
- Ground reaction force and kinematic data were obtained from six healthy horses trotting at a speed of 3 m/sec. This was under 4 different sequential conditions: baseline (untaped), pre-exercise (taped), post exercise (taped after a 30-minute trot), and post 4 hours after tape removal (transfer).
- The variance in the gathered data was evaluated using 2-way mixed ANOVAs, considering both the condition and joint.
Results
- Noteworthy interaction was recognized during the swing phase for the fetlock joint with statistically significant changes in flexion (bending). At baseline, the peak flexion averaged at 157+/-4 degrees, which was reduced to 172+/-4 degrees with taping.
- Peak vertical force, which affects horses during landing, significantly decreased upon the enforcement of the taping condition.
Conclusions
- Athletic taping did not modify the forelimb movements during the stance phase but effectively limited the bending of the fetlock joint in the swing phase.
- Decreased peak vertical forces could be attributed to a greater proprioceptive effect, which helps with spatial awareness and balance.
- While the results show that taping could potentially reduce the chances of injuries, more comprehensive research is required before affirmatively advocating taping as a preventive measure or rehabilitation protocol for equine tendon or ligament issues.
Cite This Article
APA
Ramón T, Prades M, Armengou L, Lanovaz JL, Mullineaux DR, Clayton HM.
(2005).
Effects of athletic taping of the fetlock on distal limb mechanics.
Equine Vet J, 36(8), 764-768.
https://doi.org/10.2746/0425164044848127 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Large Animal Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Universitat Autònoma, Barcelona, Spain.
MeSH Terms
- Analysis of Variance
- Animals
- Athletic Injuries / prevention & control
- Athletic Injuries / veterinary
- Bandages / veterinary
- Biomechanical Phenomena
- Exercise Test / veterinary
- Forelimb / physiology
- Gait / physiology
- Horses / physiology
- Range of Motion, Articular / physiology
- Stress, Mechanical
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Zellner A, Bockstahler B, Peham C. The effects of Kinesio Taping on the trajectory of the forelimb and the muscle activity of the Musculus brachiocephalicus and the Musculus extensor carpi radialis in horses. PLoS One 2017;12(11):e0186371.
- Lee YS, Bae SH, Hwang JA, Kim KY. The effects of kinesio taping on architecture, strength and pain of muscles in delayed onset muscle soreness of biceps brachii. J Phys Ther Sci 2015 Feb;27(2):457-9.
- Noel RC, Shaw LM, Millis NH, Janas K, Millis DL. Kinesiology Taping Does Not Affect Tarsal Joint Motion During Selected Exercises in Dogs. Vet Sci 2025 May 3;12(5).
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