1. Athletic Taping, Padding, and Bracing
Core Concepts in Athletic Training and Therapy
Susan Kay Hillman

2. Objectives
Identify the types of tape commonly used in athletic taping.
Explain the “check reign” used in athletic taping and identify different styles or shapes.
Describe the five different taping techniques (spiral, figure 8, teardrop, herringbone, and horseshoe) and give an application of each.
Identify the points to consider when developing preventive and protective pads.
Identify six basic products used in the construction of pads and braces for injury protection or prevention.
Explain why a fiberglass cast on a football lineman’s wrist should be padded for practice and games, regardless of rules.
Identify the three categories of knee braces and when each might be used.

3. Introduction
Athletic Taping and Bandaging is one of the more psychomotor skills of the A.T.
Prevent injury
Facilitate injured persons return to physical activity
Support ligaments and capsule of unstable joints
limit excessive or abnormal motion
Enhance proprioceptive feedback from the injured limb or joint
Requires a great deal of practice

4. Anatomy and Injury Mechanism as the Foundation for Taping and Bracing
Necessary to have understanding of anatomy and mechanism of injuries
Important to understand link between anatomical structure, mechanism of injury, and purpose for which the tape is being applied
Human anatomy is the foundation for everything you learn about athletic training

5. Materials for Taping and Wrapping
Elastic tape, non elastic tape, elastic wraps, commercially manufactured braces
Non elastic
Standard white tape: porous, different sizes
Optimal support to joints and strategically restrict abnormal/excessive motion
Elastic tapes/wraps
Support for body parts that require more ROM
Apply compression to acute injury to minimize swelling
Braces
Prevent injury
Support unstable joints
Reduce cost of athletic tape

6. Prerequisites to Taping and Bracing
Thorough injury evaluation
Nature and mechanism of injury
Associated with appropriate rehabilitation program
Criteria of full return to activity has been met
Optimal ROM, strength, progression of functional activity, psychological readiness
Safety of athlete is #1 concern

7. Preparing for Taping Ergonomic taping area
Proper illumination, ventilation and free from excessive heat and humidity
Area should be coeducational
Patient should be willing participant
Area to be taped should be clean and shaven for optimal support
Prewrap may be applied
Tape adherent and friction pads over bony prominences or muscle tendons

8. Applying Tape
Creativity with taping techniques and supplies is valuable skill for A.T.
Various Application Techniques
Spiral: Used when padding, compression or general support of joints or soft tissue is the objective
Overlapping circles, usually by 1/d tape/wrap width
Distal to Proximal
Promote venous return and function
Commonly used for thigh (hamstring, quad), groin, hip, wrist and lower leg

9. Spiral Taping/wrapping

10. Proximal and distal anchors with stack technique to limit dorsiflexion
Applying Tape
Check Reigns: Using strips of tape that cross a joint to limit normal or excessive movement
Anchor strips applied proximally and distally are anchor points for various check reigns
Stacks
Strips of tape placed directly on top of each other to add strength to application
Proximal and distal anchors with stack technique to limit dorsiflexion

11. Applying tape: Check Reign Techniques
Fan
Similar to stacking method, but one end is wider than the other
Allows for taping over a joint where proximal aspect is larger than distal or vice versa
Greater contact area=greater control of motion and support
The “X”
Crisscross method to provide more control/support in one area and more movement in another

13. Applying tape: Check Reign Techniques
The “Y”
Type of stack check reign that is cut at 1 end and split to facilitate attachment to anchor
Split end can be cut long enough to be placed in circular fashion
The “Double Y”
Like “Y” but split at both ends
Different from X because center is ore elongated and covers larger area
Often used for elbow hyperextension and Achilles pathologies

14. THE DOUBLE “Y”

15. Applying Tape
Figure 8
Foundational technique applied in numerous situations to benefit multiple joints
Limit motion or provide support to joint
Circular and angular patterns crossing over itself while forming an “8” proximally and distally
Tape tension, joint placement, and type of tape are key factors

17. Applying Tape Teardrop
Strip of tape originates and ends in same spot to form an oval or “teardrop”

18. Applying Tape Herringbone
Overlapping strips that cross over each other in alternating and opposite directions
Sequential support from overlapping strips
Compression and support due to directional pull applied

19. Applying Tape Horseshoe (Stirrup)
Used during taping of ankle, heel and shoulder
Used when circumferential tape application is not possible
Direction of pull, amount of tension, % of overlap, and type of tape all affect the benefit of this technique

21. Padding
Valuable in preventing or lessening severity of injuries from sporting competition
Many different types of pads and protective equipment have been developed
Different material
Moldable plastic
Foam
Felt
Commercially manufactured padding

22. Pad Fabrication Considerations
a. Density
Weight of product compared to its size
Higher density offer greater protection and more resistant to deformation
b. Strength
Maximal external stress or load material can withstand
Compression sleeve vs. ankle brace.
c. Rigidity
Amount of bending or compression that occurs in response to amount of applied stress
Fiberglass splint more stiff and has less elasticity
Aluminum splint less stiff and lower elasticity
d. Conformability
Ease in which material forms to the body

23. Pad Fabrication Considerations
e. Self-Adherence
Strength in which material bonds to itself
Integrity and durability of the splint
f. Durability
Ability to withstand repeated stress
More durable=last longer
g. Ease of Fabrication
Time, equipment and skill needed to shape material for support and comfort
h. Availability and Cost

24. Type of density
Custom vs. prefabricated
High modulus of elasticity vs. low modulus
Boil and bite designed for custom fit

25. Pad Construction Materials
Closed Cell Foam
Higher density
Regains original shape quickly after deformation
Provides better protection fro higher levels o impact
Stiffer foam, less comfortable
Can have adhesive backing for ease of application
Open Cell Foam
Lower density
Slowly regains shape after deformation
Better protection for low levels of impact
More comfortable
Can have adhesive backing for ease of application

26. Pad Construction Materials
Thermomoldable foam
Closed or open cell that can be heated and molded to body part
Improves conformability
Great padding for cast and braces
Felt
Varying thickness
Used in conjunction with foam or other padding
Can have adhesive backing

27. Pad Construction material
Gel
Made entirely or partially with silicone or sorbothane
Effective in dispersing different levels of impact
Comfortable and increased ability to conform to body part
Can create adherence problems, must secure well

28. Pad Construction Material
Heat and Moldable Plastics
Activated by heat or water
Hard covering for foam or felt
Increased absorption of high level of impact
Elevated strength levels
Can also be used for immobilization or ROM restriction
A.T. may vary how padding is used
Doughnut or bubble techniques

29. Role of Bracing Prevent injury or support unstable joints Ankle Braces
Knee Braces
Preventative, rehabilitative, and functional braces
Shoulder Braces
Support unstable glenohumeral joints
Elbow Braces
Wrist Braces