Effect of taping on compressibility of the heel pad in gymnasts

Introduction

Heel pain syndrome has been frequently noted in gymnasts. The accumulation of repetitive stress on the heel pad during landing activities may be one of the etiological factors, leading to changes in morphologies and mechanical behaviors.(1,2) The confinement concept has been used to increase the ability of internal absorption of the heel pad, such as taping and using heel cup or heel counter.(1,3,4) The effect of such an intervention, however, is not clearly understood. The purposes of the study were to compare the compressibility of the heel pad of the gymnasts with that of the healthy adults using the ultrasonography and to determine the effect of taping on the compressibility of the heel pad in gymnasts.

Methods

Twelve heels in 6 gymnasts (mean age 21.2, SD 1.9 years ) and another 12 heels in 6 healthy young adults (mean age 23.2, SD 3.7 years ) participated in this study. Each participant was examined while standing with his body swaying from side to side in order to create a loading-unloading cycle to the heel pad. The thickness of the heel pad were measured for both feet and pre-/post-taping conditions, which were acquired from the M-mode ultrasonic images at a sampling frequency of 100Hz for 8 sec. The compressibility index was defined as the ratio of thickness loaded by body weight to that unloaded.(5) ANOVA with repeated measures were used to analyze the data with the significant level of α= 0.05.

Results

Without taping, both the heel pad thickness and compressibility index, adjusted for body mass index, were statistically smaller for the gymnasts as compared to those for the controls (14.40.8 vs. 1.631.5 mm; p <0.05 and 46.24.8% vs. 56.16.6%, p < 0.01). For the gymnasts, the thickness of the heel pad was significantly greater after taping (16.51.0 mm, p < 0.0005); however, the significance was not demonstrated in the compressibility index. Within each group there was no difference between the left and right heels.

Discussion /Conclusions

The heel pad was significantly thinner but more compressible in the gymnasts compared with the healthy adults. Taping to the heel pad increase the thickness in gymnasts but did not change the compressibility. The insignificance in compressibility after taping may be attributed to large variances, which needs to be further examined.

References:

[1]. De Clercq D, et al. (1994). J Biomech, 27, 1213-1222.
[2]. Rome K, et al. (2001).Clin Biomech , 16 , 901-905.
[3]. . Jorgensen U, et al. (1988).Int J Sports Med, 9, 468-473.
[4]. Wang C-L, et al . (1994). Clin Biomech, 9, 297-302
[5]. Jorgensen U. (1985). Am J Sports Med, 13, 128-132