Purpose:​ The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of prophylactic ankle taping, spatting, and taping and spatting on peak vertical ground reaction force (PVGRF) values during landing.

Problem:​ Spatting is a common form of prophylactic ankle bracing, however very little research has been conducted on its effect on athletic performance.

Methods:​ Fifteen California University NCAA Division II football and male soccer players participated in this study (10 football;​ 5 male soccer). Subjects preformed three vertical jumps on a force plate in each prophylactic ankle braced condition. The braced conditions included control, taped only, spatted only, and taped and spatted conditions. The highest PVGRF value of each condition was recorded. The results were analyzed using a repeated measures analysis of variance test using a significance level of ≤ .05.

Findings:​ No significant difference was found between any prophylactic ankle brace condition compared to the control condition (F_3,42= 0.628, p>.05.)

Conclusion:​ Based on the results it may be concluded that spatting has no effect on PVGRF values upon landing from a vertical jump. This study suggests that ankle spatting has no more significant difference in PVGRF than taping, taping and spatting, or a controlled condition, and therefore may not contribute to an increased chance of ankle injury, especially when landing from a jump.