Evaluation of circumferential pressure as an intervention to mitigate postural instability induced by localized muscle fatigue at the ankle

Pressure application via taping reportedly improves proprioception, and localized muscle fatigue (LMF) increases postural sway, which may be due to a loss of position sense acuity (PSA). This exploratory study investigated the effects of circumferential pressure (CP) and induced ankle LMF on sway. Fourteen young participants performed fatiguing sub-maximal isotonic plantarflexion exercises. Ankle PSA was determined, and used to categorize participants (i.e. high and low groups). Postural sway during quiet standing was assessed using a force platform, both pre- and post-LMF. CP was applied unilaterally to the dominant leg above the ankle joint. Both CP and LMF resulted in greater sway in the low PSA group. CP did not mitigate LMF effects on sway in the low PSA group, but reduced sway among the high PSA group. Reduced PSA may thus indicate less reliance on somatosensation for balance maintenance.Relevance to industryPotential benefits of circumferential pressure were indicated. Specifically, CP at the ankle led to improved postural control in certain individuals, which suggests that pressure application might thereby improve balance maintenance and help reduce occupational fall incidents. Results might help to design occupational interventions (specifically CP or taping) differently for individuals with low vs. high PSA.