Abstract
Background: The use of knee taping is widely used to enhance stability and landing
performance. However, its impact on jumping performance, a key sports performance
determinant, remains unknown. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of knee
taping on continuous biomechanics during the countermovement jump (CMJ). Methods:
Nineteen recreational female netball players (age 22 ± 2.69 years; height 167.76 ± 7.47 cm;
mass 63.32 ± 10.57 kg) performed CMJs under four taping conditions—no tape (NT), rigid
tape (RT), dynamic tape (DT), and kinesio tape (KT). All participants completed all four
conditions. Continuous biomechanical data were analysed using one-dimensional statistical
parametric mapping (SPM1d) with repeated measures ANOVA (p < 0.05). Results:
KT significantly reduced time to take-off (from 2.01 ± 0.67 s with NT to 1.26 ± 0.61 s with
KT, p < 0.001) and increased modified reactive strength index (from 0.12 ± 0.05 with NT
to 0.21 ± 0.06 with KT, p < 0.001). RT increased braking phase velocity compared to NT
(−1.53 ± 0.57 m/s vs. −1.69 ± 0.62 m/s, p = 0.01). SPM1d revealed significant kinematic
changes across conditions, including reduced ankle flexion and hip flexion with KT, and
increased knee rotation with RT and DT. Conclusions: Knee taping modified joint kinematics
without enhancing maximal outputs such as power or jump height. KT improved
reactive strength indices, suggesting potential benefits for rapid jump performance, while
RT and DT mainly altered joint coordination.