The effects of new taping methods designed to increase muscle strength

Effects of facilitatory and inhibitory Kinesio taping on lateral gastrocnemius muscle activity, motor neuron excitability, and countermovement jump height in university athletes from multiple sports: A randomized controlled trial

Objectives

This study aims to investigate the temporal effects of two Kinesio Taping (KT) techniques on lateral gastrocnemius muscle activity, motor neuron excitability, and countermovement jump height in university athletes from hockey, football, basketball, and volleyball. Additionally, it investigates whether the athletes' playing positions-either attacker or defender-influence these outcomes following the KT application.

Methods

Forty-eight subjects were randomly assigned to one of three groups: Group A (n = 16), Group B (n = 16), and Group C (n = 16). All groups were further subdivided into attackers and defenders. Adhesive Kinesio tape was applied to the lateral gastrocnemius using the Y-shaped technique for three days. Facilitatory KT was applied from the origin to the insertion of the lateral gastrocnemius, while inhibitory KT was applied from the insertion to the origin. Motor neuron excitability, electromyographic activity, and countermovement jump height were tested at baseline, as well as after KT application, to evaluate if the dependent variables had changed. One-way ANOVA was used for baseline comparison, and mixed ANOVA was applied to assess post-interventional effects on the outcome measures.

Results

Significant group effects for lateral gastrocnemius activation were found, measured using percentage of maximum voluntary isometric contraction (% MVIC) average root mean square (RMS). In motor neuron excitability, maximal M-wave (Mmax) was significantly improved in group comparison. Further, there was also a significant increase in countermovement jump height. There was no significant difference in outcome measures based on playing position (attacker and defender).

Conclusion

Both KT techniques effectively influenced the lateral gastrocnemius muscle's activity, motor neuron excitability, and jump height when compared with the control group. Additionally, there is no effect of playing position, specifically attacker or defender, on the examined variables following KT application.

Immediate effects of elastic tape application on the foot sole: a randomized controlled trial

[Purpose] In this study, we investigated the effectiveness of elastic tape in increasing the dorsiflexion angle and plantar flexor strength in healthy individuals. [Participants and Methods] This randomized controlled trial included 24 healthy university students who were categorized into the following groups (12 participants in each group): the intervention group (elastic tape was applied to the dominant foot) and the control group (no intervention was performed). We performed intergroup comparison of the pre- and post-intervention dorsiflexion angles and plantar flexor strength. Additionally, we performed subgroup analyses based on a straight-leg raise angle of 70°. [Results] We observed no significant intergroup differences in the dorsiflexion angle or plantar flexor strength. However, the post-intervention dorsiflexion angle was significantly greater than the pre-intervention angle in the subgroup with a straight-leg raise angle of <70° among participants in the elastic tape group. [Conclusion] Elastic tape application may effectively increase the dorsiflexion angle in individuals without hamstring extensibility.

The forgotten radial nerve: A conceptual framework for treatment of lateral elbow pain

BACKGROUND

Lateral elbow pain is a prevalent musculoskeletal overuse disorder that has serious consequences for musculoskeletal health, occupational performance, and overall healthcare burden. Available treatment options (traditional therapy and steroid injections) have been studied rigorously, yet supporting evidence is weak. The majority of treatment options available are targeted at the local pathology of the common extensor tendon as the apparent source of pain, and do not adequately address the cause, the source of overuse, and mechanism of injury.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this paper is to describe a novel approach, a regional interdependence model, to reduce symptoms of upper extremity musculoskeletal overuse in populations at risk by addressing a broader systematic approach versus a localized symptom driven approach for the assessment and treatment of lateral elbow pain.

METHODS

The proposed framework - Think in nerve length and layers (TINLL)- accounts for nerve tension and muscle balance in the entire extremity. In this paper we describe the application of the TINLL model for assessment and treatment of SRSN irritation in individuals with lateral elbow pain and propose a method for treatment and for further studies. The proposed treatment approach combines mobilization with movement, elastic taping, and isometric exercises to address impairment at each level: joint alignment, neural tension, and the superficial sensory nervous system.

RESULTS

Our findings of reduced pain with a relatively small number of therapy sessions in a small retrospective cohort of patients using the TINLL framework for assessment and treatment supports further formal study of this approach in a larger cohort with longer follow-up to determine effectiveness compared to current treatments.

CONCLUSION

Future studies will test and compare the efficacy of the TINLL framework and model of treatment on the short- and long-term outcomes in individuals with chronic lateral elbow pain compared to traditional therapy.

Efficacy of Kinesio Taping Compared to Other Treatment Modalities in Musculoskeletal Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Kinesio taping is widely used in musculoskeletal conditions. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis on the efficacy of kinesio taping in musculoskeletal disorders compared to other interventions. Twelve electronic databases were used for systemic search and data relevant to pain and disability were extracted. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42018087606). Meta-analysis was performed to compare the efficacy of kinesio taping to other modalities of musculoskeletal disorders. As a result, 36 studies were included in the quantitative analysis. Kinesio taping was found to provide an improvement of both pain and disability when applied to any region of the body. In the first five days of application, kinesio taping significantly reduced the pain in all body regions (SMD = -0.63, 95%CI: -0.87, -0.39). This was also noted after four-to-six weeks of application (SMD = -0.76, 95%CI: -1.07, -0.45). When kinesio taping was used for disability in low back pain patients, it significantly reduced the disability within five days of application (SMD = -0.70, 95%CI: -1.29, -0.11). Finally, kinesio taping has shown an improvement of the disability in all body regions after four-to-six weeks of application (SMD = -0.59, 95%CI: -0.96, -0.22). Our findings support kinesio taping as an adjuvant to other treatments for musculoskeletal disorders. Abbreviations KT = Kinesio taping; MSK = musculoskeletal; SD = standard deviation; CR = conventional rehabilitation; NDI = Neck Disability Index; NPS = Numerical Pain Scale; CTM = Cervical Thrust Manipulation; PIR = Post-isometric muscle relaxation; NPRS Numerical Pain Rating Scale; OA = osteoarthritis; ROM = Range of motion; VAS = visual analogue scale; VAS-W = visual analogue scale-worst pain; VAS-U = visual analogue scale-usual pain; VAS-R = visual analogue scale-resting pain; VAS-A = visual analogue scale-activity pain; VAS-N = visual analogue scale-night pain; NPDS = Neck Pain Disability Scale; QA = Quality assessment.

Effect of two Dynamic Tape™ applications on the electromyographic activity of the gluteus medius and functional performance in women: A randomized, controlled, clinical trial

INTRODUCTION

Dynamic Tape™ (DT) is a biomechanical tape that is used to directly manage load, modify movement patterns, and assist functioning. However, no studies have evaluated its effectiveness in increasing gluteus medius (GM) muscle activation and improving functional performance.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of two forms of DT applications on the electromyographic (EMG) activity of the GM muscle and lower limb functional performance.

METHODS

Thirty-three, healthy, recreationally active women were randomly assigned into two groups: 1) submitted to the DT application on GM muscle that adhered to the stretching method for Kinesio Tape® application (KG, n = 17) and 2) submitted to the DT application on GM muscle that adhered to the stretching method suggested for DT (DG, n = 16). The EMG evaluation of GM was performed at rest, in maximum voluntary isometric contraction, and in the single-leg squat, drop landing, and jump landing + maximum vertical jump tests. Functional performance was evaluated using the triple hop test and the 6-m timed hop test.

RESULTS

No significant changes in GM activation or functional performance were found, regardless of the stretching method used. No significant intergroup differences were observed (α = 5%).

CONCLUSION

DT did not increase GM activation in functional activities, and it did not improve functional performance in the lower limbs in healthy women, regardless of the form of application used.

Acute effects of kinesio taping on muscular strength and endurance parameters of the finger flexors in sport climbing: A randomised, controlled crossover trial

Kinesio taping (KT) is a commonly used intervention in sports and, recently, KT has become popular among athletes competing in sport climbing and bouldering events. However, evidence on the effect of KT on grip strength and endurance is still controversial. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate immediate effects of KT on muscular strength and endurance of the finger flexor muscles in sport climbers. Twenty recreationally-trained active sport climbers (10 men, 10 women) aged 28.5 ± 10.6 years performed one familiarisation trial and subsequently, in a randomised crossover design, two test trials either with (TAPE) or without (CONTROL) KT over the finger flexor muscles. Test trials consisted of three performance measurements (hand grip strength and endurance, finger hang, and lap climbing) at intervals of 48 h in a randomised order. We observed no significant differences in the parameters of hand grip peak force, fatigue index, finger hang time, lap climbing distance and time, or maximum blood lactate values after lap climbing between the TAPE and CONTROL trials (p > 0.05). The participants' climbing ability was significantly correlated with the intra-individual performance changes between the TAPE and CONTROL conditions for the fatigue index (r = -0.598, p = 0.005), but not in any of the other performance-related parameters. Therefore, KT over the finger flexor muscles neither enhanced hand grip strength and endurance nor the sport climbing performance parameters of finger hang, lap climbing distance and time, and maximum blood lactate values after lap climbing.

Original kinesio tape application for temporary diastasis recti reduction: a single case study

Background/Aims

The person in this case study was a man with prostatic cancer and diastasis rectus abdominis. Perineal rehabilitation was needed to prevent urinary incontinence, before and after a radical prostatectomy. This study reports on an original application of kinesio tape to reduce the diastasis rectus abdominis so that he could carry out the rehabilitation programme.

Methods

Three green-coloured Y-type tapes (width 5 cm and length 15 cm) were positioned to form an X, orthogonally at the linea alba, separating the tape half in width and two-thirds of a grid in length into 2 ends, under 75% pulling force (above and below the navel), and two green-coloured I-type tapes (width 5 cm and length 30 cm) positioned in parallel at the rectus abdominis, from the external face of the 5th, 6th and 7th costal cartilage and by the xiphoid process to the upper part of the pubis tubercle and pubic symphysis under 50% pulling force. Kinesio tapes were applied daily before every session of the perineum rehabilitation.

Findings

A significant reduction of the diastasis was observed by ultrasound, after the kinesio tape was applied.

Conclusions

This case demonstrates that it was possible to perform a pre- and post-operative perineal rehabilitation programme after the application of kinesio tape, which efficiently reduced the diastasis rectus while performing exercises, with the aim to prevent urinary incontinence.

Effect of kinesiology tape application direction on quadriceps strength

BACKGROUND

Controversy exists regarding whether the kinesiology tape application direction affects muscle strength.

METHODS

Eighteen healthy volunteers (12 men, 6 women) participated. Kinesiology tape was randomly applied to the quadriceps muscles either from origin to insertion or from insertion to origin. A Biodex isokinetic dynamometer was used to measure the peak torque of the quadriceps pre-and post-taping.

RESULTS

There was a significant difference in muscle strength after taping, regardless of the kinesiology tape application direction. There were no significant differences in the peak torque of the quadriceps between the 2 kinesiology tape application directions.

CONCLUSIONS

The application of kinesiology tape application to the rectus femoris, vastus medialis, and vastus lateralis of the quadriceps increased the muscle torque, regardless of the tape application direction. Therefore, to enhance quadriceps strength, we recommend the application of kinesiology tape to 3 of the muscles of the quadriceps (specifically, the rectus femoris, vastus medialis and vastus lateralis), irrespective of the tape application direction.

[The application of kinesiotaping for the rehabilitation of the post-stroke patients]

This review of the scientific literature was designed to consider the prospects for the application of kinesiotaping for the rehabilitation of the post-stroke patients. The relevance of the work arises from the absence of a systemic analysis of the large number of investigations that have been carried out during the past two years. The objective of the present review article was to evaluate the influence of kinesiotaping on the health status of the post-stroke patients and the course of their rehabilitative treatment based on the results of analysis of the scientific reports published during the period from 2015 to 2017. The analysis has demonstrated that the method under consideration makes it possible to effectively reduce spasticity, increase the paretic limb power, improve the static and dynamic balance, and alleviate the pain syndrome by virtue of the ability to improve the articulation proprioception and to regulate the muscle tone. Such effects are known to promote the reduction of muscle tone asymmetry in the patients suffering from hemiparesis and articulation instability which in its turn improves the patients' gait and walking ability, hightens their living standards, and allows to tolerate enhanced physical exertion. Kinesiotaping actually improves the locomotor function in the post-stroke patients Taken together, the advantages of the approach in question give reason to recommend kinesiotaping for the wide application for the combined rehabilitative treatment of the post-stroke patients.

Possibilities of kinesio taping to prevent injuries of professional dancers

A literature review of the application of kinesio taping in the prevention of professional dancers' injuries indicated frequent dance-related and overuse injuries and a lack of organized information about this issue. This study aimed to assess the impact of kinesio taping on the musculoskeletal system of dancers, based on scientific research data from 2015-2017. The analysis revealed that kinesio taping can effectively reduce muscle spasms, rebuild muscle strength of the injured extremity, improve static and dynamic balance and ease pain, due to its ability to improve proprioception of joints and regulate muscle tone. These effects reduce muscle imbalance and joint instability, thus increasing treatment efficacy and shortening the physical load limitation. Kinesio taping significantly reduces the risk of overuse syndromes and dance-related injuries during dance training and strenuous exercises of people with chronic musculoskeletal diseases. Therefore, kinesio taping has broad utility in primary and secondary prevention of dance-related injuries.