Effect of Kinesiology Tape on Tri-Axial Accelerometry During the Dance Aerobic Fitness Test.

OBJECTIVES: Kinesiology tape (KT) is thought to provide greater mechanical support during physical activity, however, there is a paucity of research investigating its application in dance. The study aimed to determine whether KT reduces PlayerLoad (PL) during the Dance Aerobic Fitness Test (DAFT) in addition to examining the relative sensitivity of accelerometer site locations.
Methods: University-level dancers (N = 11; age 18 ± 0.45 years, height 168.17 ± 12.25 cm, body mass 57.50 ± 9.91 kg) participated in two trials of the DAFT protocol in two conditions: no tape (NT) and kinesiology tape (KT). Global positioning systems (GPS) and accelerometer units were attached onto the seventh vertebra (C7) at the mid-scapula region and lower limb (LL) located at the midgastrocnemius of the dominant leg calculating measurements of triaxial (PLTotal) and uniaxial measures (anteroposterior [PLAP], mediolateral [PLML], and vertical [PLV]) measures of PlayerLoad during the DAFT.
Results: No significant main effect was observed for the taping condition in all measures of PlayerLoad (P > 0.10). A significant main effect (p < 0.01) was observed for unit location and time, with greater loading at the LL compared to C7 and during each consequent stage of the DAFT. No significant (p > 0.52) location*taping, nor location*taping*time (p > 0.36) interactions were observed for all variables measured.
Conclusions: Kinesiology tape does not reduce loading patterns in healthy dancers during a fatigue protocol. However, triaxial accelerometers provide adequate sensitivity when detecting changes in loading, suggesting the LL may be deemed as a more relevant method of monitoring training load in dancers.

The efficacy of elastic therapeutic tape variations on measures of ankle function and performance.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of different variations of elastic therapeutic taping (ETT) on tests used to screen for ankle injury risk and function. DESIGN: Randomized crossover. SETTING: Laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Twelve professional male soccer players completed three experimental trials: No tape (NT), RockTape™ (RT), and Kinesio™ Tape (KT) applied to the ankle complex. OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical and functional ankle screening tests were used to assess the effects of ETT on measures of joint position sense, postural stability and ground reaction forces. RESULTS: KT (P = 0.04) and RT (P = 0.01) demonstrated significant improvements in end range joint position sense. When compared to NT, RT significantly (P = 0.02) improved mid-range joint position sense at 15°, and time to complete a drop landing task. No significant differences were observed for measures of postural stability (P ≥ 0.12) nor ground reaction force variables (P ≥ 0.33). CONCLUSIONS: Results advocate the use of ETT for proprioceptive and functional tasks when applied to the ankles of healthy male soccer players. However, a greater number of practical and significant differences were observed when RT only was applied, indicating that practitioners may potentially advocate the use of RT for tasks requiring proprioception and functional performance.

Kinesiology tape mediates soccer-simulated and local peroneal fatigue in soccer players.

To investigate the efficacy of kinesiology taping in mediating the influence of fatigue on ankle sprain risk, 12 male soccer players completed single-leg dynamic balance trials pre- and post-exercise (soccer-specific protocol, isokinetic ankle inversion/eversion protocol) in each of three counter-balanced taping conditions (no tape, zinc oxide tape ZO, kinesiology tape KT). Balance was quantified as the overall stability index (OSI) and directional stability indices of platform deflection. Soccer-specific fatigue only increased OSI in the no tape condition (p = 0.03), with ZO and KT trials negating a fatigue affect. Localized fatigue increased OSI in the no tape (p = 0.01) and ZO (p = 0.05) trials, with no increase in the KT trial. A similar pattern was observed in medio-lateral and anterio-posterior balance indices. KT mediates soccer-simulated and local peroneal fatigue, with practical implications for epidemiological observations of increased injury risk during the latter stages of match play.

TEMPORAL PATTERN OF KINESIOLOGY TAPE EFFICACY ON HAMSTRING EXTENSIBILITY.

BACKGROUND: Kinesiology tape has been advocated as a means of improving muscle flexibility, a potential modifiable risk factor for injury, over time. The epidemiology and etiology of hamstring injuries in sport have been well documented. PURPOSE: To compare the temporal pattern of efficacy of kinesiology tape and traditional stretching techniques on hamstring extensibility over a five day period. STUDY DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study. METHODS: Thirty recreationally active male participants (Mean ± SD: age 20.0 ± 1.55 years; height 179.3 ± 4.94 cm; mass 76.9 ± 7.57 kg) completed an active knee extension assessment (of the dominant leg) as a measure of hamstring extensibility. Three experimental interventions were applied in randomized order: Kinesiology tape (KT), static stretch (SS), proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF). Measures were taken at baseline, +1min, + 30mins, + 3days and +5days days after each intervention. The temporal pattern of change in active knee extension was modelled as a range of regression polynomials for each intervention, quantified as the regression coefficient. RESULTS: Hamstring ROM with KT application at +3days was significantly greater than baseline (129.18 ± 15.46%, p = 0.01), SS (106.99 ± 9.84%, p = 0.03) and PNF (107.42 ± 136.13%, p = 0.03) interventions. The temporal pattern of changes in ROM for SS and PNF were best modelled by a negative linear function, although the strength of the correlation was weak in each case. In contrast, the KT data was optimised using a quadratic polynomial function (r(2) = 0.60), which yielded an optimum time of 2.76 days, eliciting a predicted ROM of 129.6% relative to baseline. CONCLUSION: Each intervention displayed a unique temporal pattern of changes in active knee extension. SS was best suited to immediate improvements, and PNF to +30 minutes in hamstring extensibility, whereas kinesiology tape offered advantages over a longer duration, peaking at 2.76 days. These findings have implications for the choice of intervention, timing and duration to assist clinicians in both a sporting and clinical context. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2c.

Temporal efficacy of kinesiology tape vs. Traditional stretching methods on hamstring extensibility.

BACKGROUND: The epidemiology and aetiology of hamstring injuries in sport have been well documented. Kinesiology tape has been advocated as a means of improving muscle flexibility, with potential implications for injury prevention. PURPOSE: To compare the temporal pattern of efficacy of kinesiology tape and traditional stretching techniques on hamstring extensibility. STUDY DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study. METHODS: Thirty recreationally active male participants (Mean ± SD: age 21.0 ± 0.1 years; height 180 ± 6 cm; mass 79.4 ± 6.9 kg) completed an active knee extension assessment (of the dominant leg) as a measure of hamstring extensibility. Three experimental interventions of equal time duration were applied in randomized order: Kinesiology tape (KT), static stretch (SS), proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF). Measures were taken at baseline, +1, +10 and +30 mins after each intervention. The temporal pattern of change in active knee extension (AKE) was modelled as a range of regression polynomials for each intervention, quantified as the regression coefficient. RESULTS: With baseline scores not statistically different between groups, and baseline AKE set at 100%, PNF showed a significant improvement immediately post-intervention (PNF+1 = 107.7 ± 8.2%, p = .01). Thereafter, only KT showed significant improvements in active knee extension (KT+10 = 106.0 ± 7.1%, p = .05; KT+30 = 106.9 ± 5.0%, p = .02). The temporal pattern of changes in active knee extension after intervention was best modelled as a positive quadratic for KT, with a predicted peak of 108.8% baseline score achieved at 24.2 mins. SS was best modelled as a negative linear function, and PNF as a negative logarithmic function, reflecting a rapid decrease in active knee extension after an immediate positive effect. CONCLUSION: Each intervention displayed a unique temporal pattern of changes in active knee extension. PNF was best suited to affect immediate improvements in hamstring extensibility, whereas kinesiology tape offered advantages over a longer duration. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The logistics of the sporting or clinical context will often dictate the delay between intervention and performance. Our findings have implications for the timing and choice of intervention aimed at increasing hamstring extensibility in relation to performance. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2c.