Anti-pronation tape changes foot posture but not plantar ground contact during gait

ObjectivesTo investigate changes in medial longitudinal arch (MLA) posture and dynamic plantar contact area following the application of augmented low-Dye (ALD) tape during walking and running.MethodsEighteen asymptomatic subjects (mean age 27 ± 7.8 years) with a navicular drop greater than 10 mm were studied. MLA height standardised to foot length was measured before and after the application of tape. Subjects then walked and jogged taped and non-taped over an EMED-SF floor mounted force platform. The plantar surface of the foot was divided into six regions with the toes excluded. Contact area (CA) and Lateral-Medial Area Indices (LMAI) were calculated for each region.ResultsCompared to the no-tape control condition, the MLA increased significantly after the application of tape (p = 0.000). Contact area was reduced in the medial and lateral rearfoot during jogging (p = 0.001 and 0.005, respectively) and the medial rearfoot during walking (p = 0.004) following tape. There was no significant mean difference between the taped and control conditions for mean Lateral-Medial Area Indices.ConclusionWhilst the ALD tape changed foot posture by providing an anti-pronation effect, minimal changes were noted in CA or LMAI after tape application. These findings indicate that anti-pronation tape procedures, like the ALD, do not significantly alter plantar contact area.