Effect of Elastic Compression Stocking and Kinesio Taping during Heel-raise Exercise on Muscle Activity, Mechanical Properties, and Muscle Fatigue in Healthy Women

ABSTRACT

Purpose@#The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of the elastic compression stockings and Kinesio taping on muscle activity and mechanical properties in healthy women during the heel raise exercise that causes muscle fatigue. @*Methods@#Participants were divided into the elastic compression stockings group (ESG, n= 8), Kinesio taping group (KTG, n= 8), and control group (CG, n= 8). All participants performed the heel raise exercise to cause muscle fatigue. Muscle activity, stiffness, and the muscle tone of the gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior were measured before and after the heel raise exercise. @*Results@#In the gastrocnemius, muscle activity was significantly increased after the heel raise exercise in both the ESG and KTG (p 0.05). In the tibialis anterior, there were no significant differences in muscle activity, stiffness, and muscle tone between and within the groups (p> 0.05). @*Conclusion@#Our findings suggest that the use of elastic compression stockings and Kinesio taping during the heel raise exercise are beneficial and delay muscle fatigue in the gastrocnemius.