Improvements in strength and functional performance after Kinesio taping in semi-professional male soccer players with and without functional ankle instability

Kinesio taping in sports: A scoping review

BACKGROUND

Kinesio tape (KT) has been proposed as an easy and cost-efficient method to help athletes. However, researchers have suggested that KT effectiveness varies while remaining a practical, easy, and inexpensive method.

OBJECTIVES

The present study is a review of articles that assessed KT effects on pain, performance/function, strength, and injury prevention in athletes or physically active individuals.

METHODS

The present Review was conducted on Google Scholar, PubMed, SPORT, MEDLINE, and Science Direct according to the PRISMA extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA- ScR) guidelines. Peer-viewed studies were in English between January 2010 and July 2021 and the keywords for research included "Kinesio taping" (taping, kinesiology tape), "sport", "athletes", "exercise".

RESULTS

Fifty studies on KT effectiveness were considered in this review. All full-text articles were assessed for eligibility. Ten papers were on how KT effects pain in athletes, 24 investigated the effect of KT on athletes' performance, 12 were aimed at potential strength gains, 8 assessed proprioception and balance, and 3 articles were on injury prevention. In seven articles two topics were examined, so those papers were included in two different sections of our results.

CONCLUSION

Overall 54% of publications agreed that KT was not effective, 46% found some evidence supporting its effectiveness.

Kinesiology taping improves balance in football players with chronic ankle instability

INTRODUCTION

There appears to be no consensus on the usefulness of kinesiological tape in athletes with chronic ankle instability, therefore the aim of this study was to examine the effects of kinesiological tape on dynamic balance in football players with chronic ankle instability.

DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

Football players who were eligible for this randomized controlled study were randomly assigned (allocation ratio 1:1:1) to one of three groups: experimental group, placebo group or control.

INTERVENTIONS

The experimental group received kinesiological tape bands applied to the peroneal and tibialis anterior muscles. The tape was applied for 48 h. The placebo group received a sham kinesiological tape application for the same duration, while the control group did not receive any tape.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Balance was assessed using the Y-Balance Test at baseline and 48 h later, with the kinesiological tape still in place, either sham or control.

RESULTS

A total of 69 (23 per group) semi-professional, male, players (22.1 ± 4.3 years) completed the study. There was a significant change in test performance over time (F1,66 = 9.425; P = 0.003; ηp2 = 0.125), with a significant interaction for group × time (F2,66 = 11.154; P < 0.001; ηp2 = 0.253). The kinesiological tape group improved the overall performance in the Y-balance test (85.2 ± 8.7% to 90.3 ± 8.4%, P < 0.001), while no differences were observed for the placebo and control groups.

CONCLUSION

The application of kinesiological tape for 48 h improved overall dynamic balance performance on the Y-balance test. These findings suggest that kinesiological tape could be a beneficial strategy for addressing the consequences of chronic ankle instability.

Immediate Effects of Kinesio Tape and Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization on Pain and Proprioception in Chronic Neck Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective

The purpose of this study was to compare the immediate effects of single-session Kinesio Tape (KT) and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) interventions on pain and proprioception in patients with chronic neck pain (CNP).

Methods

Forty patients with CNP aged 21 to 44 years were included in this study. The participants were divided into 2 groups as the IASTM and KT groups. The participants in the KT group took part in one session of KT application to the trapezius and sternocleidomastoid muscles, while those in the IASTM group took part in one session of IASTM application to the same muscles. The pain levels of the participants during activity were recorded using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and their cervical region proprioception levels were assessed using the Cervical Range of Motion device. Pain severity and proprioception were assessed before and after the interventions.

Results

No statistically significant difference was found between the pretreatment pain and proprioception values of the 2 groups (P > .05). After the treatments, there was a significant improvement in proprioception in both groups (P ≤ .001). Similarly, there was a significant improvement in VAS values in both groups after the treatments (P ≤ .001). The VAS and proprioception values of the 2 groups were not significantly different in the post-treatment measurements (P > .05).

Conclusion

It was concluded that the IASTM and KT interventions had an immediate effect on pain and proprioception in the participants who had CNP, while neither intervention was superior to the other.

Does kinesio tape alter muscle strength in athletes? - Systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Kinesio tape (KT) is still a matter of debate and the results of studies that evaluated its effects on muscle strength in athletes are still contradictory and inconclusive.

OBJECTIVES

To analyze randomized clinical trials (RCT) to compare the effects of KT on muscle strength with the control/placebo group among athletes with and without musculoskeletal injury.

METHOD

The search involved the databases: PubMed, Web of Science, LILACS, PEDro, The Cochrane Library, Medline, Scopus, SPORTDiscus and Embase, without filter and included RCTs evaluating the effects of KT on muscle strength in athletes with or without musculoskeletal injury, comparing it to a control/placebo intervention. The following were excluded: studies with duplicate information; who used instruments for indirect assessment of muscle strength; involving a different population of athletes. Meta-analysis calculations were performed using post-intervention muscle strength data in the Review Manager (RevMan) program.

RESULTS

10 articles were eligible, among which 5 studies were included in the meta-analysis. In the primary analysis, no relevant clinical effect was found (immediate post-intervention <24h: Z = 1.97 CI95% = 0.35[0.00-0.70]; p = 0.05 I2 = 0% and late post-intervention ≥24h: Z = 1.47 CI95% = 0.59[-0.20-1.38]; p = 0.14 I2 = 69%) when comparing the KT group with the control/placebo groups for muscle strength of lower limbs in participants with and without musculoskeletal injury and in the subgroup analysis (including only individuals without injury), there was also no clinical effect (Z = 1.50, 95%CI = 0.31[-0.10-0.71] p = 0.13, I2 = 0%) of KT for muscle strength.

CONCLUSIONS

KT does not contribute to muscle strength gain in athletes with and without musculoskeletal injuries.

PROSPERO

CRD42020139822. (https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=139822) (29 July 2020).

Effects of Kinesio taping on lower limb biomechanical characteristics during the cutting maneuver in athletes after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

PURPOSE

To determine the effects of Kinesio taping (KT) on the biomechanical characteristics of the lower limbs during the 90° cutting maneuver in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR) athletes.

METHOD

Eighteen ACLR athletes were recruited and subjected randomly to three taping conditions, KT, placebo taping (PT), and no taping (NT), followed by a 90° cutting test. A nine-camera infrared high-speed motion capture system (Vicon, T40, 200 Hz) was used to record the kinematic parameters of the lower limbs during the cutting maneuver, and a three-dimensional dynamometer (Kistler, 1000 Hz) was used to record the kinetic parameters of the lower limbs. A one-way repeated measures analysis of variance was conducted to compare the differences in the lower limb kinematic and kinetic characteristics of ACLR athletes subjected to these interventions.

RESULTS

During the landing phase, the knee valgus angle reduced significantly with KT than with NT (95% confidence interval = -1.399 to -0.154; P = 0.025), whereas no significant difference was observed between PT and NT (95% confidence interval = -1.251 to 0.217; P = 0.236). No significant differences were observed in the other kinematic variables among the three taping conditions (P > 0.05). During the landing phase, no significant differences in the kinetic variables were observed among the three taping conditions (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Although KT does not improve the kinetic variables of athletes after ACLR during the 90° cutting maneuver, it reduces the knee valgus angle, which could reduce the risk of secondary ACL injury.

The immediate effect of synergistic muscles kinesio taping on function and balance of volleyball players with functional ankle instability: A randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVES

To determine the immediate effect of synergistic muscles Kinesio taping (KT) on the function and balance of volleyball players with functional ankle instability (FAI).

DESIGN

Parallel, superiority randomized controlled trial.

METHODS

Twenty-six semi-professional volleyball players with FAI were randomly assigned to either the intervention or control group. All participants received KT of fibularis longus, gastrocnemius, and gluteus maximus muscles for one session. The intervention group received KT with 35 % tension, while the control group received KT without tension. The function was assessed using the side hop and single hop distance tests. Dynamic balance was assessed with the Y Balance test. The outcomes were measured at baseline, 20 min after KT, and 24 h after KT. Statistical analyses were performed using Mixed-model repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) and one-way ANOVA.

RESULTS

The interactions of time*group for the outcomes of function using the single hop test and stability in the anterior direction of the Y Balance test were significant (p < 0.05). Within-group comparisons showed after KT, both groups experienced significant improvements in all outcomes compared to the baseline. Results of between-group comparisons revealed that the application of KT with tension compared to no tension significantly improved function and balance in the anterior of the Y Balance test.

CONCLUSIONS

Kinesio taping can be an effective treatment option to improve function and balance in FAI. Additionally, Kinesio taping with tension compared to KT without tension had superiority.

Does Kinesio taping of tibialis posterior or peroneus longus have an immediate effect on improving foot posture, dynamic balance, and biomechanical variables in young women with flexible flatfoot?

BACKGROUND

Flexible flatfoot is common in young adults. One of its causes is the failure of dynamic stabilizers, which play an important role in the medial longitudinal arch support, and their appropriate function is necessary for the integrity of the lower extremity and the spine.

OBJECTIVE

The study aimed to determine Kinesio taping on which extrinsic foot muscle provides greater benefit regarding enhancement of foot posture, dynamic balance, and biomechanical parameters in functional tasks immediately.

METHODS

Thirty women were recruited for the study. They were randomly divided into groups (A = 15, B = 15). In group A, Kinesio taping was applied on the tibialis posterior (TP), and in group B, Kinesio taping was applied on the peroneus longus (PL) and remained for 30 min. Outcome measures were the navicular drop test (NDT), foot posture index (FPI), Y-balance test, and biomechanical parameters in functional tasks. Before/After within-group and between-group comparisons of outcome measures were performed.

RESULTS

NDT and FPI decreased in both groups (p < 0.05) with no significant difference between groups. In group A, maximum total force of the stance phase (MaxTFSP) during running increased, and some temporal parameters were changed. (p < 0.05). In group B, Y-balance test improved in all directions, and the width of the gait line during walking increased. There were no significant differences in the postural stability parameters in the within-group comparison, except for mean center of pressure displacement in group B (p = 0.04).

CONCLUSION

Kinesio taping of both muscles could improve foot posture. TP Kinesio taping can increase the MaxTFSP during running and alter some temporal parameters during walking and running tasks. PL Kinesio taping could lead to better dynamic stability and coordination during dynamic tasks. Each muscle can be considered a therapeutic target for a specific purpose.

The Effect of Kinesio Taping on Balance and Dynamic Stability in College-Age Recreational Runners with Ankle Instability

(1) Background: Running is one of many sports that have increased in popularity since it can be conducted at any time or anywhere. Ankle instability is a common injury that usually occurs during running and is usually associated with abnormalities in postural stability. Recently, kinesio taping has gained increasing interest as a tool that can be used in rehabilitation, to improve stability, and to help in injury prevention. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Kinesio taping on balance and dynamic stability in recreational runners with ankle instability. (2) Methods: This randomized controlled trial recruited 90 RRs with ankle instability. The participants were randomly divided into three equal groups: a KT group (KTG) who received Kinesio taping on their ankle joints; a mixed group (MG) who received Kinesio taping and exercises; and an exercise group (EG) who received exercises only. Outcome measures (balance and dynamic stability) were assessed before and after the end of an 8-week treatment program using a Biodex balance system and a star excursion balance test, respectively. (3) Results: Within-group comparisons showed statistically significant improvements in most of the outcome values when compared to baseline. Overall stability index was statistically significantly better (with a high effect size) in the MG compared to KTG or EG (p = 0.01, Cohen's d = 1.6, and p < 0.001, Cohen's d = 1.63, respectively). A similar finding was evident in the anteroposterior stability index (p = 0.02, Cohen's d = 0.95, and p < 0.001, Cohen's d = 1.22, respectively). The mediolateral stability index of the KTG was statistically significantly better with a high effect size when compared to MG or EG (p = 0.04, Cohen's d = 0.6, and p < 0.01, Cohen's d = 0.96, respectively). The star excursion balance test values were statistically significant with high effect sizes in the posterior (p = 0.002, Cohen's d = 1.2) and lateral (p < 0.02, Cohen's d = 0.92) directions in the MG compared to KTG and EG. (4) Conclusions: Kinesiotape with exercises is superior to either kinesiotape alone or exercises alone in improving postural stability indices and dynamic stability in recreational runners with ankle instability. Recreational runners with ankle instability should be educated about practicing balance exercises and applying kinesiotape.

Comparison between the effects of tibialis posterior versus fibularis longus Kinesio taping on foot posture, physical performance, and dynamic balance in young women with flexible flatfoot

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to compare the effectiveness of the tibialis posterior Kinesio taping and fibularis longus Kinesio taping on the foot posture, physical performance, and dynamic balance in young women with flexible flatfoot.

Methods

Twenty-four subjects were recruited for the study. They were randomly divided into groups (A = 12, B = 12). In group A, Kinesio taping was applied on the tibialis posterior, and in group B, Kinesio taping was applied on the fibularis longus and remained for 30 min. Outcome measures were the navicular drop test (NDT), foot posture index (FPI), timed up and go (TUG) test, and Y-balance test. The pre- and post-treatment results were compared for each group; between-group differences were determined as well.

Results

For group A, NDT, FPI, and TUG test changed significantly (P = 0.01, P = 0.001, P = 0.006, respectively). For group B, the FPI score decreased (P = 0.03), and the Y-balance test in the anterior direction improved significantly (P = 0.01). Any variables have not shown a significant difference between groups (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Kinesio taping of the tibialis posterior and fibularis longus can improve foot posture in young women with flexible flatfoot. Also, physical performance and dynamic balance improved by Kinesio taping of the tibialis posterior and the fibularis longus, respectively. In addition to the tibialis posterior, we found that the fibularis longus muscle can be considered a therapeutic target for managing flexible flatfoot in healthy young women.

Progressive tension protocol for muscle strength with Kinesio tape in runners - double-blind randomized clinical trial

Abstract Introduction Kinesio tape (KT), although frequently used in sports, is still a matter of debate, and the results of studies that evaluated its effects on muscle strength (MS) in athletes are still inconclusive and contradictory. Objective To evaluate the effect of a progressive KT tension protocol on knee MS in runners over an eight-week intervention. Methods Clinical trial involving 49 runners of both sexes randomized into two groups: KT (KT with progressive tension protocol) and placebo (KT without tension). The MS of knee flexors and extensors was evaluated by isokinetic dynamometer (60º/s and 90º/s) at four moments: (1) without KT; (2) with KT and without tension; (3) without KT (after 8 weeks after of intervention); (4) with KT and with tension (after 8 weeks after of intervention). Inter- and intra-group comparisons were made. The significance level adopted was 95% (p < 0.05). Results There were no significant differences in MS between the groups at any of the evaluated moments. There was a statistically significant difference in MS (60º/s) in both groups (KT and placebo) when comparing moments 4 and 2 for knee flexors, and in the placebo group between moments 4 and 2 and moments 4 and 3 for knee extensors. Conclusion The progressive tension protocol of KT was not able to intervene in the SM gain of knee flexors and extensors of runners in inter and intragroup comparisons.

Acute effect of kinesio tape on postural control in individuals with functional ankle instability following ankle muscle fatigue

Background: Kinesio taping (KT) is one of the therapeutic interventions in sports medicine practice. The study aims to assess the acute effect of different KT methods on postural control in individuals with functional ankle instability (FAI) after ankle muscle fatigue.

Methods: Twenty-eight participants with FAI were recruited to complete maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) and proprioception of ankle using isokinetic dynamometer, dynamic postural control using Y-balance test and static postural control using a force platform after a fatigue protocol in four taping conditions: facilitatory KT (FKT), ankle balance taping (ABT), sham taping (ST) and no taping (NT).

Results: No significant difference was observed for the data MVIC and proprioception after ankle muscle fatigue amongst the four taping treatments. A significant difference in Y-Balance Test was observed amongst the four taping treatments at posterolateral direction (p < 0.001) and posteromedial direction (p < 0.001), suggesting that KT may significantly improve dynamic postural control following ankle muscle fatigue. For Center of pressure (COP) measurements, the mediolateral COP sway range of NT was significantly larger than that of FKT (p = 0.003) and ST (p < 0.001), suggesting that the placebo effect of KT was inevitable.

Conclusion: The effect of KT seems increased dynamic postural control in individuals with FAI after ankle muscle fatigue, and this effect is not strongly related to the taping methods. By preventing fatigue-related impairments of postural control, KT may help reduce the risk of injury in individuals with FAI.

The Effects of Sternocleidomastoid Muscle Taping on Postural Control in Healthy Young Adults: A Pilot Crossover Study

Background: Postural control is a complex ability, also controlled by the somatosensory connection of the neck muscles with the vestibular nuclei. This circuit seems to be interested in maintaining head stabilization during movements. The sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle is the dominant source of the vestibular afferents as confirmed by neurophysiological acquisition. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether the application of kinesio-tape on the SCM muscle can induce a perturbation of the standing postural control by altering the somatosensory system of the neck muscles. Methods: Thirteen healthy participants (age: 24.46 ± 3.04 yrs; 9 female) were enrolled, and the four kinesio-tape (KT) conditions were performed in a random order: without KT application (Ctrl); right KT application (R-SCM); left KT application (L-SCM); and bilateral KT application (B-SCM). All conditions were performed three times with open eyes and closed eyes. Results: There was a significant increase in the length of the centre of pressure (CoP), in the maximal oscillation, and in the anteroposterior root mean square between the three tape application conditions with respect to the Ctrl condition with open eyes. The same parameters were statistically different when the participants were blindfolded in the B-SCM condition with respect to the Ctrl condition. A statistical decrease in the difference in weight distribution between the two feet was observed in the B-SCM group with respect to the Ctrl group in both open and closed eyes conditions. Conclusions: Our results suggest that KT on the SCM muscles may involve some space-time parameters of postural control. Bilateral KT improved the weight distribution between the feet but showed a parallel increase in anteroposterior oscillations and in the length of the CoP with respect to the Ctrl condition. The perturbation seems to be greater in the somatosensory system when it is working coupled with visual afferences during an upright position.

Effects of Kinesio Taping on Muscle Force of Quadriceps Femoris and Hamstring Tendon in Un-Dominant Side in Normal Adults

Objective To observe the effects of kinesio taping on muscle force of quadriceps and hamstring in un-dominant side.

MethodsThe subjects are consisted of 25 normal adults ranging from 20 to 25. The experiment was carried out by Biodex S4 in the angular velocity of 60°/s. 24 hours of ongoing taping later, the experiment was taken again by multijoint isokinetic test and training system before applying the tape, taping immediately and 24h-taping. The indexes are peak torque (PT), relative torque (PT/BW), total work (TW) and the radio of the muscle force between hamstring tendon and quadriceps femoris (R).

Results Compared with un-taping(T1), in taping immediately(T2), it is significantly increased at PT, PT/BW and TW in quadriceps femoris (P<0.05); it is increased at PT, but there’s no difference (P>0.05), and it is significantly increased at PT/BW(P<0.01) and TW (P<0.05) in hamstringtendon; it is very significantly increased at R in taping immediately(T2) (P<0.01). After 24 h’s taping(T3), compared with un-taping(T1), it is very significantly increased at PT, PT/BW both in quadriceps femoris and hamstring tendon (P<0.01), while it is very significantly increased in quadriceps femoris (P<0.01) and significantly in hamstring tendon (P<0.05) at TW; it is significantly increased at R(P<0.05). Compared with taping immediately(T2), it is increased at PT, PT/BW in quadriceps femoris, but there is no difference (P>0.05), while it is significantly increased at TW (P<0.05) ; it is significantly increased at PT and TW (P<0.05), but it is no difference at PT/BW (P>0.05) in hamstring tendon; it is no difference at R (P>0.05).

Conclusion The technology of Y-style kinesio taping can improve the muscle force of quadriceps and hamstring in the un-dominant side in normal adults, while the effect of consisting taping is significant.

The effect of Kinesio taping on cervical proprioception in athletes with mechanical neck pain-a placebo-controlled trial

Background

Neck proprioception is critical in maintaining neuromuscular control in and around cervical joints. Kinesio™ tape may assist in rehabilitating joint position sense. The current study compares Kinesio™ tape’s effects versus a placebo on proprioception in college athletes experiencing mechanical neck pain.

Methods

This study randomized sixty-six athletes with mechanical neck pain into a Kinesio™ tape group (n = 33, mean age = 22.73 years) or placebo group (n = 33, mean age = 23.15 years). The Kinesio™ tape group received standard Kinesio™ taping applications with appropriate tension, while the placebo group received taping applications without tension. Outcome measures: The study assessed cervical joint position errors with a cervical range-of-motion (CROM) device, pain intensity with a visual analog scale (VAS), and neck functional disability with a neck disability index (NDI). It tested joint position errors through cervical flexion, extension, rotation left, and rotation right. All the outcome measures were recorded at the baseline and twice more following 3 and 7 days of tape applications.

Results

Multivariate analysis of variance test demonstrated a significant reduction in joint position errors in flexion, extension and right rotation following 3 days and 7 days of tape application among the Kinesio™ tape group. There was a significant main effect of time (P < 0.05) for joint position errors in left rotation and VAS after 3 days (p > 0.05), NDI after 3 and 7 days (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

The Kinesio™ tape application after 3 and 7 days effectively decreased joint position errors and neck pain intensity in mechanical neck pain participants compared to placebo, while there was no difference between both groups in the NDI.

Trial registration

(CTRI/2011/07/001925). This study was retrospectively registered on the 27th July, 2011.

Level of evidence

IIB