Evaluation of the Kinesio Taping and Real-Time External Feedback Effects on Lower Extremity Function During Single-Leg Squat in Individuals With Tibiofemoral Varus Alignment

Background and Aims People with postural malalignment such as tibiofemoral varus (TFRV) may experience movement patterns dysfunction during functional activities that are related to non-contact lower extremity injuries. Training protocols should be designed for these people to control and improve their functional dysfunctions. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of posterior X-taping (PXT) and real-time external feedback (RTF) on kinematic and electromyographic indices of the lower extremities during the single-leg squat task in individuals with TFRV. Methods Electromyographic and kinematic information of the lower extremities of 24 recreational athletes with TFRV (PXT=12, RTF=12) were recorded while participants in both groups performed single-leg squat 5 times consecutively and took a 2-minute rest between two different conditions (before and after the intervention). To analyze the data, 2-way analysis of variance and Bonferroni post hoc test were used at the significant level of P≤0.05. Results The present study results indicated an increase in gluteus medius muscle activity (P=0.013) in the eccentric phase and a decrease in hip adduction (P=0.001) in maximal knee flexion (P=0.034) after the intervention compared to before the intervention in the RTF group. Also, there was a reduction in external tibiofemoral rotation of the knee after the intervention compared to before intervention in maximal knee flexion (P=0.034), eccentric phase (P=0.001), and concentric phase (P=0.001) in the PXT group. In addition, there was a decreased ankle pronation after the intervention compared to before the intervention in the eccentric phase (P=0.001) and concentric (P=0.001) in the PXT group and in the eccentric phase (P=0.004) in the RTF group. Besides, there was an increased ankle abduction after the intervention compared to before the intervention in the concentric phase (P=0.001), eccentric phase (P=0.001), and maximum knee flexion (P=0.004) in the PXT group, and in the eccentric phase in the RTF group (P=0.006). Finally, there was a decrease in ankle flexion dorsiflexion at maximum knee flexion after the intervention compared to before the intervention (P=0.017) in the RTF group. Conclusion The results of the present study showed that PXT and RTF interventions can affect the kinematic parameters of individuals with TFRV malalignment in different ways and can be used to correct immediately postural defects during the single-leg squat task.