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Introduction: To date, no study has examined the effect of ankle kinesiotaping on eccentric versus concentric subtalar evertor and invertor strength nor compared its effect between evertors and invertors. This study examined the effect of kinesiotaping on peak subtalar evertor and invertor eccentric and concentric torques assessed at 120°/sec. Eccentric versus concentric torque in both muscle groups as well as evertor versus invertor torque at both modes of muscle contraction were examined. Methods. A group of 30 healthy individuals (24 males and 6 females) with mean age 21 ± 2.73 years, height 1.73 ± 0.08 m, and weight 75 ± 6.20 kg were tested. They were randomly tested with kinesio tape use and without. The kinesio tape was applied on the tibialis anterior, tibialis posterior, peroneus longus and peroneus brevis muscles. The peak torques were assessed using a Biodex isokinetic dynamometer. Results: 2×2×2 Repeated Measures ANoVA revealed that the peak torque was significantly higher with kinesio tape use compared with no tape for both eccentric and concentric evertors, and eccentric invertors (p 0.009). The eccentric peak torque was significantly higher than the concentric for both evertors and invertors with kinesio tape use, and evertors with no tape (p 0.001). Finally, the invertor concentric torque was significantly higher than the evertor torque with no tape use (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Ankle kinesiotaping improves both evertor and invertor torques, with the eccentric torque being significantly improved compared with the concentric. No significant effect on evertors versus invertors was found. This suggests kinesio tape use for managing musculoskeletal disorders caused by impaired subtalar muscle strength as lateral ankle sprains. Key words: ankle, isokinetic, strength, subtalar, taping

Prediction of vertebral properties and associated fracture risk is a serious challenge for patients who have osteoporosis. This study aimed to enhance the prediction capability of the computed tomography-based finite element model (CT/FEM) for the strength, stiffness, and failure pattern of the vertebrae under compression. Twelve thoracic and eight lumbar vertebrae (T12-14 & L1-2) were imaged using CT scanner with specific parameters for an accurate representation of the vertebral bone geometry to build the 3D models. Uniaxial compressive load testing of the vertebrae was conducted. Non-linear FE analysis was performed to simulate the experimental testing with the same boundary conditions. The average thoracic vertebral stiffness and strength was 9545 ±1880 N/mm (range 6736-13628 N/mm) and 10198 ± 1486 N (8094 - 12967 N) respectively. While for the lumbar part, the mean stiffness and strength were 9206 ±932 N/mm (8238 - 10693 N/mm) and 10125 ± 1445 N (8389 – 11931 N). There was no significant difference between thoracic and lumbar specimens in the stiffness (p = 0.637) or the strength (p = 0.919). The study showed a strong correlation between the predicted and measured results for the peak load (r = 0.90) and moderate correlation for the stiffness (r = 0.68). The experimental fracture cracks and their locations in the specimens agreed reasonably well with those of the CT/FE models. The non-linear FE analysis was successfully validated by the in-vitro experiment. This modeling approach could be adapted to assess in-vivo loading conditions, therapeutic effects, and surgical spinal implants , Keywords: compressive strength; Finite element analysis; osteoporosis; thoracolumbar spine; vertebral fracture

Prediction of vertebral properties and associated fracture risk is a serious challenge for patients who have osteoporosis. This study aimed to enhance the prediction capability of the computed tomography-based finite element model (CT/FEM) for the strength, stiffness, and failure pattern of the vertebrae under compression. Twelve thoracic and eight lumbar vertebrae (T12-14 & L1-2) were imaged using CT scanner with specific parameters for an accurate representation of the vertebral bone geometry to build the 3D models. Uniaxial compressive load testing of the vertebrae was conducted. Non-linear FE analysis was performed to simulate the experimental testing with the same boundary conditions. The average thoracic vertebral stiffness and strength was 9545 ±1880 N/mm (range 6736-13628 N/mm) and 10198 ± 1486 N (8094 - 12967 N) respectively. While for the lumbar part, the mean stiffness and strength were 9206 ±932 N/mm (8238 - 10693 N/mm) and 10125 ± 1445 N (8389 – 11931 N). There was no significant difference between thoracic and lumbar specimens in the stiffness (p = 0.637) or the strength (p = 0.919). The study showed a strong correlation between the predicted and measured results for the peak load (r = 0.90) and moderate correlation for the stiffness (r = 0.68). The experimental fracture cracks and their locations in the specimens agreed reasonably well with those of the CT/FE models. The non-linear FE analysis was successfully validated by the in-vitro experiment. This modeling approach could be adapted to assess in-vivo loading conditions, therapeutic effects, and surgical spinal implants , Keywords: compressive strength; Finite element analysis; osteoporosis; thoracolumbar spine; vertebral fracture