CHAPTER 5
I.
PREVENTIVE & SUPPORTIVE TECHNIQUES
Assessing an Injury
A. Before applying a preventive or supportive technique, proper
injury evaluation should be done by the ATC or physician.
B. Following injury evaluation, a qualified health care prof. can
then make recommendations concerning application of
protective techniques.
II.
Purpose of Taping and Wrapping
A. Primary purpose for tape application is to provide additional
support, stability, and compression for the affected body part.
B. The purpose of elastic wraps is for support and compression.
C. Through proper application, taping and wrapping techniques
can be applied to:
1. shorten the muscles angle of pull
2. decrease joint range of motion
3. secure pads, bandages, and protective devices.
4. apply compression to aid in swelling reduction.
III.
Philosophies of Elastic Tape and Elastic Wrap Application
A. Tape application needs proper
1. angle
2. direction
3. tension
B. Elastic Tape:
1. has the ability to expand and contract
2. commonly used in areas that need greater freedom of
movement
3. causes fewer wrinkles and can be used with greater
angles
4. Proper tension must be applied.
C. Elastic Wraps:
1. primarily used in the application of applying
compression or support to injured body parts
D. It is left to the discretion of the health care prof. to select
adhesive or elastic tape and elastic wraps in the application of
any preventive techniques.
IV.
Description of Athletic Training Supplies
A. Adhesive tape:
1. non-elastic
2. white
3. comes in a variety of widths
B. Elastic wraps:
1. provides greater freedom of mobility
2. comes in a variety of widths,[1,2,3,4,and 6 inches]
3. extra long lengths are available
4. made of woven fabric that allows for expansion and
contraction
C. Ankle cloth wrap
1. non-elastic cloth
2. 1 ½ inches wide and 72-96 inches long
3. used on rehabilitated ankles to save tape
D. Adhesive and elastic tape is used to stabilize wraps.
E. Sometimes skin protection must be considered such as:
1. adhesive bandages
2. skin lubricant
V.
Selection of Proper Supplies and Specialty Supplies
A. Selection of supplies depends upon:
1. number and types of sports offered
2. frequency of injuries
3. budget
4. philosophy of medical staff regarding taping
5. occurrence of injury
B. Special consideration must be given to these additional
supplies:
1. benzoin (spray adherent)
2. adhesive tape vs. elastic tape
3. width of white and elastic tape
4. length and width of elastic wraps
VI.
Preparation of Body Part to be Taped or Wrapped
A. To prepare the body for taping and wrapping application,
consider these 6 items:
1. Removal of hair: shave the affected body part to
ensure:
a. good foundation for tape
b. easy removal
c. reduced skin irritation.
2. Clean the area:
a. skin must be clean and moisture-free
3. Special Considerations: Provide special care if the
skin has:
a. allergies
b. infections
c. open or closed wounds
4. Spray Adherent: Spray area with an adherent to:
a. aid in the adhesive quality
b. provide stability for the supportive technique.
5. Skin Lubricants: Used to reduce the possibility of
irritation.
a. use in areas of high friction or sensitivity
b. use with the dressing/bandage (heel and lace pads)
6. Underwrap:
a. made of foam
b. used when the athlete is allergic to tape
c. used to hold heel and lace pads in place at high
friction areas
d. used when athletes did not shave
e. it’s use can compromise the stability of the taping
technique
f. never used when applying an elastic wrap
VII. Application and Removal of Taping Procedures
A. Application of tape:
1. To tear tape, isolate the edge of tape and pull away at
an angle.
2. If tape folds or wrinkles, it will not tear.
3. The more quickly you tear, the more evenly the tape
edges will be torn.
4. Some brands of elastic tape are extremely hard to tear
and must be cut.
B. Removal of tape:
1. Use bandage scissors or tape cutter.
2. Use small amount of skin lube on the tip of the cutter to
allow for it to slip under the tape more easily.
3. Avoid bony prominences; move the cutter along the
natural channels or in areas of soft tissue to avoid pain
and irritation.
4. Remove the tape from the skin in constant and gradual
manner.
5. Remove tape in the opposite direction from which it
was applied.
6. Put pressure on the skin (pull the skin from the tape) to
reduce irritation.
7. Use tape remover to keep the skin clean and prevent
irritation and/or infection.
8. Wash the skin after the use of tape remover.
9. Moisturize the skin.
VIII. Purpose and Application of Elastic Wraps for Support Compression
A. Support Wraps:
1. Used to aid in muscle function and support, and to
reduce excessive range of motion.
2. Usually used for short periods such as competition or
practice.
3. Also called:
a. Spica: used at hip and shoulder joints
b. figure of eight: ankle, knee, elbow, wrist
c. pad support: holds felt, foam rubber, and
protective devices.
B. Compression Wraps:
1. Used in injury treatment protocol:
a. P.R.I.C.E.S.
2. To apply use a spiral pattern, begin distal to injury,
cross over injured joint, and finish proximal to the
affected area.
a. This, combined with elevation, will assist in
moving fluids out of the injured area.
b. Removal and reapplication of the wrap should be
done every 4 hours.
IX.
X.
Sport Specific Rules on Taping and Wrapping
A. Before applying supportive techniques to an athlete, be aware
of specific rules governing tape application in that particular
sport.
Braces and Special Devices
A. The use of protective devices is beneficial if they are:
1. Properly selected
2. used in the appropriate setting
3. correctly fitted
4. properly applied
5. used within the rules and guidelines of the specific
sport
B. Commonly used braces and devices:
1. Immobilizing:
a. casts
b. straight leg braces
c. aircasts
2. Functional: used to add support with minimal loss of
mobility.
a. Compression support –
1. neoprene sleeves
2. patellar tendon strap
b. Ligament support
1. Braces
3. Four common specialty supplies in pad techniques:
a. Foam:
1. Used with various taping/wrapping
procedures
2. Consider proper size, thickness, shape, and
composition
b. Thermoplastic
1. Rigid material allows injured athletes to
return to activity and still be protected from
further harm.
2. May be restricted from some sports of
allowed only on certain body parts due to its
hard composition.
XI.
c. Felt
1. Consider proper size, thickness, and use of
either adhesive or non-adhesive felt.
d. Viscoelastic Material
1. Made of elastic material
2. Used to secure padding to a body part
3. Commonly used to cover the ankle, knee,
elbow, and wrist/hand.
4. When constructing a special pad using foam,
thermoplastic, felt, or viscoelastic material, consider
the following criteria:
a. Does the pad meet specific rules and guidelines of
the sport?
b. Does the pad perform the function for which it was
designed?
c. Will the pad contribute to further injury to the area
or adjacent area?
d. Will the pad alter the function or void the warranty
of a manufactured piece of equipment (helmet,
shoulder pad)?
Principles of Physical Rehabilitation
A. Supportive techniques and a rehab. program enhance the
athlete’s return to activity.
B. Taping and Wrapping are NOT a substitute for proper injury
rehab.
C. Follow procedures on rehab. and supportive techniques a
outlined by a physician.
XII. Precautions
A. Skin temperature:
1. Should be normal following therapeutic treatment
2. Allow adequate time for skin to return to normal temp.
3. This reduces the chance of skin irritation.
B. Improper tape application can CAUSE further injury, so use
caution.
C. Tape application should NOT be use to allow a disabled
player to play.
XIII. Tips from the Field [see page 50-51]