Self-applicable taping for plantar pressure redistribution in individuals with neutral and flatfeet: a quasi-experimental study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v82.117504Keywords:
Flatfoot, Low-Dye, Plantar pressure, Pronation, TapingAbstract
Introduction: Flatfeet is a prevalent condition that alters foot biomechanics. The Low-Dye taping technique can modulate plantar loading, but its multi-strip procedure is technically demanding and is usually applied by a clinician.
Objective: To assess the immediate effects of a self-applicable taping technique on plantar pressure distribution and footprint in adults with flat or neutral feet, under static and dynamic conditions.
Methodology: In a single-session, pre–post design, twenty-seven participants (18-25 years) were assigned to a flatfoot (n=9) or neutral-feet (n=18) group using the Chippaux-Smirak Index. Each participant applied the tape to their own foot under the supervision of a trained examiner, and plantar pressures were recorded with a baropodometric platform.
Results: In the flatfeet group, taping was associated with a lateral shift in rearfoot pressure under both static (p=0.0077) and dynamic (p=0.0209) conditions. In the neutral-feet group, a lateral rearfoot shift (p=0.0311) and a medial forefoot shift (p=0.0057) were observed only under static conditions. No significant changes occurred in footprint. These rearfoot effects remained significant after Benjamini-Hochberg correction for multiple comparisons.
Discussion: The findings regarding the lateralization of rearfoot pressure are consistent with the literature on traditional Low-Dye taping. However, this study suggests that comparable rearfoot effects may be obtained with a simplified, self-applied technique.
Conclusions: A single application of this self-applicable taping was associated with an immediate, region-specific redistribution of plantar pressure in young adults with neutral or flat feet. However, controlled studies with sham conditions, clinical endpoints, and longer follow-up are needed before clinical recommendations can be made.
References
Aenumulapalli, A., Kulkarni, M. M., & Gandotra, A. R. (2017). Prevalence of Flexible Flat Foot in Adults: A Cross-sectional Study. Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research : JCDR, 11(6), AC17–AC20. https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2017/26566.10059
Broom, L., Worley, A., Gao, F., Hernandez, L. D., Ashton, C. E., Shih, L. C., & VanderHorst, V. G. (2019). Translational methods to detect asymmetries in temporal and spatial walking metrics in parkinsonian mouse models and human subjects with Parkinson’s disease. Scientific Reports, 9(1), 2437. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-38623-6
Bruening, D. A., Messick, C. L., Waid, D. C., Krupp, T. D., Stringer, J. R., Parry, D. J., & Berry, L. J. (2023). For plantar taping, direction of elasticity matters. Scientific Reports, 13(1), 22811. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-50169-2
Buldt, A. K., Forghany, S., Landorf, K. B., Levinger, P., Murley, G. S., & Menz, H. B. (2018). Foot posture is associated with plantar pressure during gait: A comparison of normal, planus and cavus feet. Gait & Posture, 62, 235–240. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2018.03.005
Castro-Méndez, A., Palomo-Toucedo, I. C., Pabón-Carrasco, M., Ortiz-Romero, M., & Fernández-Seguín, L. M. (2022). The Short-Term Effect of Dynamic Tape versus the Low-Dye Taping Technique in Plantar Fasciitis: A Randomized Clinical Trial. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(24), 16536. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192416536
Chuckpaiwong, B., Nunley, J. A., Mall, N. A., & Queen, R. M. (2008). The effect of foot type on in-shoe plantar pressure during walking and running. Gait & Posture, 28(3), 405–411. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2008.01.012
Filardi, V. (2018). Flatfoot and normal foot a comparative analysis of the stress shielding. Journal of Orthopaedics, 15(3), 820–825. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jor.2018.08.002
Flores, D. V, Mejía Gómez, C., Fernández Hernando, M., Davis, M. A., & Pathria, M. N. (2019). Adult Acquired Flatfoot Deformity: Anatomy, Biomechanics, Staging, and Imaging Findings. Radiographics : A Review Publication of the Radiological Society of North America, Inc, 39(5), 1437–1460. https://doi.org/10.1148/rg.2019190046
Franettovich, M. M., Murley, G. S., David, B. S., & Bird, A. R. (2012). A comparison of augmented low-Dye taping and ankle bracing on lower limb muscle activity during walking in adults with flat-arched foot posture. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 15(1), 8–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2011.05.009
Ghai, S., Ghai, I., & Narciss, S. (2024). Influence of taping on joint proprioception: a systematic review with between and within group meta-analysis. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 25(1), 480. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-024-07571-2
Gómez Ríos, Y., Londoño, Y., Vallejo Osorio, A. N., Fuente Garcia, J. P., Poblete-Valderrama, F., Flores Rivera, C., & Monterrosa Quintero, A. (2023). Huella plantar y posturometría en estudiantes de Educación Física en edad escolar (Footprint and posturometry in Physical Education students of school age). Retos, 49, 408–413. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v49.97528
Ho, I. M. K., Weldon, A., Yeung, N. C. Y., & Luk, J. T. C. (2022). Low-dye taping may enhance physical performance and muscle activation in basketball players with overpronated feet. PloS One, 17(10), e0275178. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0275178
Khan, F., Chevidikunnan, M. F., BinMulayh, E. A., & Al-Lehidan, N. S. (2023). Plantar pressure distribution in the evaluation and differentiation of flatfeet. Gait & Posture, 101, 82–89. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2023.01.019
Khorshidi, H., Raeisi, Z., & Yalfani, A. (2025). Comparing the effects of Kinesio and dynamic tapes on plantar pressure and postural stability in the pre- and post-fatigue phases: The case of men with pes planus. Gait & Posture, 119, 48–55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2025.02.017
Koh, H. L. A., Lin, W.-H., & Kong, P. W. (2020). Comfort and Ground Reaction Forces in Flat-Footed Female Runners: Comparison of Low-Dye Taping versus Sham Taping. Journal of Sports Science & Medicine, 19(3), 620–626. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32874115
Lange, B., Chipchase, L., & Evans, A. (2004). The effect of low-Dye taping on plantar pressures, during gait, in subjects with navicular drop exceeding 10 mm. The Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, 34(4), 201–209. https://doi.org/10.2519/jospt.2004.34.4.201
Martínez-Sebastián, C., Ramos-Petersen, L., Gámez-Guijarro, M., Alabau-Dasi, R., Banwell, G., Núñez-Fernández, A., Sánchez-Gómez, R., & Gómez-Carrión, Á. (2023). Effects of Low-Dye Tape on Arch Height and Its Impact on the Medial Gastrocnemius Electromyographic Activity in Structurally Differentiable Foot Types: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study. Life (Basel, Switzerland), 13(12), 2309. https://doi.org/10.3390/life13122309
Melai, T., Schaper, N. C., Ijzerman, T. H., de Lange, T. L. H., Willems, P. J. B., Meijer, K., Lieverse, A. G., & Savelberg, H. H. C. M. (2013). Increased forefoot loading is associated with an increased plantar flexion moment. Human Movement Science, 32(4), 785–793. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.humov.2013.05.001
Morley, D., Jenkinson, C., Doll, H., Lavis, G., Sharp, R., Cooke, P., & Dawson, J. (2013). The Manchester-Oxford Foot Questionnaire (MOXFQ): Development and validation of a summary index score. Bone & Joint Research, 2(4), 66–69. https://doi.org/10.1302/2046-3758.24.2000147
Neumann, D. A. (2017). Ankle and foot. In D. A. Neumann (Ed.), Kinesiology of the Musculoskeletal System: Foundations for Rehabilitation (3rd ed., pp. 595–652). Elsevier.
Newell, T., Simon, J., & Docherty, C. L. (2015). Arch-Taping Techniques for Altering Navicular Height and Plantar Pressures During Activity. Journal of Athletic Training, 50(8), 825–832. https://doi.org/10.4085/1062-6050-50.5.05
Nolan, D., & Kennedy, N. (2009). Effects of low-dye taping on plantar pressure pre and post exercise: an exploratory study. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 10(1), 40. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2474-10-40
Paecharoen, S., Arunakul, M., & Tantivangphaisal, N. (2023). Diagnostic Accuracy of Harris Imprint Index, Chippaux-Smirak Index, Staheli Index Compared With Talar-First Metatarsal Angle for Screening Arch of Foot. Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine, 47(3), 222–227. https://doi.org/10.5535/arm.23015
Pita-Fernández, S., Gonzalez-Martin, C., Alonso-Tajes, F., Seoane-Pillado, T., Pertega-Diaz, S., Perez-Garcia, S., Seijo-Bestilleiro, R., & Balboa-Barreiro, V. (2017). Flat Foot in a Random Population and its Impact on Quality of Life and Functionality. Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research : JCDR, 11(4), LC22–LC27. https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2017/24362.9697
Pomarino, D., & Pomarino, A. (2014). Plantar Static Pressure Distribution in Healthy Individuals: Percentiles for the Evaluation of Forefoot Loading. Foot & Ankle Specialist, 7(4), 293–297. https://doi.org/10.1177/1938640014528973
Praewpipat, B., Ehara, Y., Kosorn, W., & Nampichai, N. (2024). Biomechanical effect between conventional and 3-dimensional printed customized foot orthoses on medial longitudinal arch support and rearfoot angle in adults with flexible flatfeet. Prosthetics and Orthotics International, 49(3), 335–343. https://doi.org/10.1097/PXR.0000000000000383
Russo, S. J., & Chipchase, L. S. (2001). The effect of low-Dye taping on peak plantar pressures of normal feet during gait. The Australian Journal of Physiotherapy, 47(4), 239–244. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0004-9514(14)60271-3
Shin, H. S., Lee, J. H., Kim, E. J., Kyung, M. G., Yoo, H. J., & Lee, D. Y. (2019). Flatfoot deformity affected the kinematics of the foot and ankle in proportion to the severity of deformity. Gait & Posture, 72, 123–128. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2019.06.002
Singh, D., Kaur, J., Dhanger, S., Peela, T., & Mehta, V. (2022). Anatomical basis of flat foot. Journal of Medical Science and Clinical Research, 10(03), 137–141. https://doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v10i3.22
Smyth, N. A., Aiyer, A. A., Kaplan, J. R., Carmody, C. A., & Kadakia, A. R. (2017). Adult-acquired flatfoot deformity. European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery & Traumatology : Orthopedie Traumatologie, 27(4), 433–439. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00590-017-1945-5
Tang, M., Wang, L., You, Y., Li, J., & Hu, X. (2021). Effects of taping techniques on arch deformation in adults with pes planus: A meta-analysis. PloS One, 16(7), e0253567. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0253567
Tang, M., Zeng, Z., Li, C., Hu, X., & Wang, L. (2024). Acute effects of athletic taping on arch deformity and plantar pressure in young female adults with flexible flatfoot. Gait & Posture, 108, 250–256. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2023.12.013
Tao, X., Chen, W., & Tang, K. (2019). Surgical procedures for treatment of adult acquired flatfoot deformity: a network meta-analysis. Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research, 14(1), 62. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-019-1094-0
Thabane, L., Ma, J., Chu, R., Cheng, J., Ismaila, A., Rios, L. P., Robson, R., Thabane, M., Giangregorio, L., & Goldsmith, C. H. (2010). A tutorial on pilot studies: the what, why and how. BMC Medical Research Methodology, 10, 1. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2288-10-1
Verdu Roman, C., Martinez Gimenez, E., Bustamante Suarez de Puga, D., Mas Martinez, J., Morales Santias, M., & Sanz-Reig, J. (2021). Hallux valgus with and without metatarsalgia in women: a matched-cohort study of plantar pressure measurements. Indian Journal of Orthopaedics, 55(Suppl 2), 436–444. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43465-021-00416-3
Zhai, J. N., Wang, J., & Qiu, Y. S. (2017). Plantar pressure differences among adults with mild flexible flatfoot, severe flexible flatfoot and normal foot when walking on level surface, walking upstairs and downstairs. Journal of Physical Therapy Science, 29(4), 641–646. https://doi.org/10.1589/jpts.29.641
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Felipe H Palma, Javiera Castro-Slomp, Daniel A Araya, Juan A López, Rodrigo Guzmán-Venegas, Francisco J Berral de la Rosa
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and ensure the magazine the right to be the first publication of the work as licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of authorship of the work and the initial publication in this magazine.
- Authors can establish separate additional agreements for non-exclusive distribution of the version of the work published in the journal (eg, to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in this journal.
- Is allowed and authors are encouraged to disseminate their work electronically (eg, in institutional repositories or on their own website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as to a subpoena more Early and more of published work (See The Effect of Open Access) (in English).
This journal provides immediate open access to its content (BOAI, http://legacy.earlham.edu/~peters/fos/boaifaq.htm#openaccess) on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge. The authors may download the papers from the journal website, or will be provided with the PDF version of the article via e-mail.
