Kinesio taping is a common practice to improve kinetic and kinematic performance. In turn, the use of technology allows for better stability of muscles and joints, as well as increased resistance for muscle contraction. Taken together, these effects allow both to minimize the risk of injuries when loading the joints and to increase the mobility and elasticity of muscles in the long term. Additionally, kinesio taping helps in relieving muscle pain in neurological disorders. Thus, this technique is widely used both for improving the athletic opportunities of healthy people and for rehabilitation. However, the greatest effect is associated with an increase in athletic performance in healthy people during eccentric exercise, while the effect is insignificant for running activities.
Kinesio taping is actively used both for the prevention of muscle and joint injuries in healthy people and for rehabilitation after various injuries. It was invented in the 1970s, and it is “air-permeable, water-resistant, and elastic adhesive tape that can be stretched to up to 120% to 140% of its resting length” (Hosp et al. 636). Kinesio tape easily attaches to the muscular skeleton, supporting or suppressing muscle activity, as well as providing stability to ligaments and joints (Park et al. 2).
Additionally, Yang et al. note that kinesio taping can limit longitudinal muscle stretching to 55-60% of original capacity, positively reducing muscle edema and correcting alignment (2). Taken together, these factors emphasize that the technique provides significant support to both muscles and joints, allowing for increased stability. Thus, kinesio taping can be used in coaching to prevent the occurrence of joint and muscle injuries, as well as to relieve muscle and joint pain during the rehabilitation period.
Preventing possible joint injury is the main focus of kinesio taping in coaching. Hosp et al. argue that knee injuries are the most common type of exercise-related injuries, “which account for almost 40% of all injuries in athletes” (632). In turn, the risk of their occurrence is increased by muscle fatigue and impaired body balance. The mechanical property of kinesio taping can provide a stable joint position through external physical force (Park et al. 2). Kinesio taping has a positive effect on balance performance and helps prevent injury, especially in healthy athletes. Moreover, it is noted that the positive effect increases with poorer initial characteristics of balance in the athlete (Hosp et al. 640).
Thus, athletes with below-average balance abilities get the greatest benefits from the practice. The study does not specify how effective the technique is for athletes with more developed balance abilities, or whether there are significant differences in its application depending on this factor. Additionally, kinesio taping helps in relieving pressure on joints in a fatigued state during exercise.
At the same time, the effectiveness of taping depends on the type of sports activity, as well as the load on the joint. While the beneficial effects identified in the study by Hosp et al. relate to eccentric exercise, the advantages during running may not be as pronounced. Reneker et al. state that running kinesio taping does not significantly reduce knee joint stress (91). On the contrary, the use of Mulligan’s tape is associated with positive changes in kinetic and kinematic measures.
Moreover, Reneker et al. emphasize that the use of kinesio tape does not affect muscle endurance (91). Thus, the use of the technique may have an insufficient positive effect on improving athletic performance during running activity, in contrast to eccentric exercise. However, Hosp et al. note that running activities result in muscle fatigue and deterioration of balance abilities (639). Thus, they suggest that kinesio taping may have an indirect beneficial effect with this type of exercise. The success of the prevention of knee injuries, in this case, depends on the type of load on the knee joint, which must be taken into account when applying taping.
However, taping is also widely used in the rehabilitation of muscles after injuries and to restore joint mobility. In particular, Park et al. emphasize that the application of kinesio tape to muscles increases their resistance and increases activation (8). Compared to the absence of taping, muscle contraction with kinesio tape requires more effort from a person, which gives an additional load on muscle tissue. This effect allows the restoration of muscle function and muscle contraction, which leads to positive therapeutic outcomes. However, in this regard, it is necessary to take into account the technique of applying taping, with the help of which optimal tension is achieved. The results presented by Park et al. are partially supported by Yang et al., who emphasize that kinesio taping improves control over muscle positioning, which has a positive effect on contraction (4). Thus, kinesiology tape as a method of therapy and rehabilitation is effective as it stimulates the activation of muscle tissue and increases resistance.
An additional positive rehabilitation effect is the relief of pain from injured muscles and joints. In particular, beneficial outcomes are observed when acting on “nonspecific pain, such as neck pain, impinged shoulder pain, and knee pain” (Yang et al. 4). The pain modulating effect is observed immediately after the application of kinesio tape. In addition to the anti-pain outcomes, the technology allows for a long-term improvement in muscle activity indicators, which is positive for the rehabilitation process (Yang et al. 4).
As the study notes, the mechanism of action is not fully understood and may be associated with afferent feedback to the spine (Yang et al. 4). This assumption is also supported by Hosp et al., who emphasize that kinesio tape “increases the sensory feedback from mechanoreceptors located in the skin, muscles, and joint capsules” (640). However, the researchers also mention that the modulation effect can be achieved by correcting the positioning of muscles and joints, which is consistent with the results reported by Hosp et al.
At the same time, the above studies have a number of limitations that indicate potential ineffectiveness when using kinesio taping for muscle weakness or a weak nervous system. In particular, the study by Park et al. was conducted on healthy patients, which does not allow judging the prospects for using the technique for patient rehabilitation. At the same time, the study by Yang et al. was conducted among participants diagnosed with hemiplegic shoulder pain after the stroke, which suggests their neurological nature.
This fact emphasizes that kinesio taping can be used for the rehabilitation of neurological disorders, but does not specify its use to improve the functioning of the neurological system. Thus, the results presented in the studies are contradictory and not unambiguous. Therefore, it is not clear from the data whether kinesio taping has a beneficial effect in the treatment of neurological injuries or weak muscles. Overall, research clearly identifies only the technique’s ability to tone muscles and positively influence muscle contraction.
Although the studies reviewed suggest the widespread use of kinesio taping for the rehabilitation of various muscle groups, the use in coaching for healthy people depends on the load and nature of the movements. At the same time, research conducted in healthy people suggests that under certain conditions, kinesio taping can be used to improve muscle contraction and increase muscle strength. In particular, as illustrated in an article by Park et al., increasing muscle resistance with tape has a positive effect on the results of therapy for dysphagia (1). Thus, it can be assumed that the technique can be applied to improve the indicators of muscle tension in healthy people. Nevertheless, the study was conducted on healthy participants, which does not give clear results in relation to neurological disorders.
However, these findings identify that the use of kinesio tape may have a positive effect on reducing muscle tension in various muscle groups during static loading. Yang et al. note that despite the reduction in pain, there is no significant improvement in range of motion immediately after the application of kinesio tape (5). However, a significant improvement in the digestive functions is observed four weeks after the start of rehabilitation, which identifies a positive effect on the restoration of muscle function (Yang et al. 5).
Reneker et al. argue that the positive effect of kinesio taping during running activity may be due to the psychosomatic mechanisms since the use of the tape strengthens the patients’ belief in improving performance (96). Thus, taping can be used both to improve the performance of healthy people to reduce joint fatigue and to restore muscle mobility.
At the same time, the effectiveness and results of using kinesio taping to improve the performance of both healthy people and rehabilitation depend on the technique and duration of use. Research is also controversial on this issue, as Reneker et al. argue that despite the various application techniques described in the literature, they have no effect on the ineffectiveness of taping in running (96). Yang et al., on the contrary, it is argued that the technique of applying taping plays a key role in achieving a positive result (3).
However, these results also cannot unambiguously identify the degree of influence of these factors on the results of the technology application. At the same time, the authors emphasize that the trainer’s clinical and therapeutic skills are essential for the correct application of the tape (Reneker et al. 96). Thus, it can be assumed that the results of using kinesio taping are most dependent on the goals, patient indicators, and the coach’s competence.
In general, information on the use of kinesio taping to improve performance in athletes, as well as in rehabilitation after joint and muscle injuries, is controversial. When used in healthy people, taping can have a positive effect on reducing muscle fatigue and reducing the risk of injury. At the same time, Hosp et al. emphasize that during eccentric exercise, the hip and ankle joints are also heavily loaded, but they do not determine the degree to which their performance affects the overall risk of injury (640). In combination with conflicting results on running activity, it can be noted that stability of the hip and ankle joints is likely to play a significant role in preventing knee injury during exercise.
In terms of rehabilitation and therapy, the indicators are more confident, although they do not have a direct impact on coaching practitioners. However, findings related to the use of kinesio taping to reduce pain in hemiplegic shoulder pain have identified a beneficial effect on muscle mobility. This result can be useful in coaching, as it allows one to use this technique to increase the range of motion in athletes. At the same time, it is difficult to judge how important this factor is for improving performance, considering the information about the difference in the benefits of kinesio taping depending on the type of activity. Dysphagia rehabilitation study also identifies that kinesio taping increases muscle resistance and therefore increases muscle strength in the long term. Again, within the framework of coaching practice, this finding has an indirect significance, since it must be considered within the framework of the types of activities.
Thus, the use of kinesio taping in coaching has a number of advantages, albeit rather limited ones. In general, this technology is more suitable for reducing the risk of injury by increasing joint stability, as well as muscle strength and elasticity. Moreover, kinesio taping can help relieve muscle pain in neurological disorders. Most importantly, taping reduces exercise-related fatigue, which minimizes the risk of injury, especially to the knee joints. However, the technique does not represent significant results when used in running activities. At the same time, the technique of applying the tape is key to achieving the desired effect. This is especially true when used for the rehabilitation of neurological disorders.
Works Cited
Hosp, Simona, et al. “Eccentric Exercise, Kinesiology Tape, and Balance in Healthy Men.” Journal of Athletic Training, vol. 52, no. 7, 2017, pp. 636-642.
Park, Ji-Su, et al. “A Novel Method Using Kinesiology Taping for the Activation of Suprahyoid Muscles in Healthy Adults: A Preliminary Research.” Dysphagia, vol. 35, 2020, pp. 636-642.
Reneker, Jennifer C., et al. “Effectiveness of Kinesiology Tape on Sports Performance Abilities in Athletes: A Systematic Review.” Physical Therapy in Sport, vol. 31, 2018, pp. 83-98.
Yang, Lin, et al. “The Effect of Kinesiology Taping on the Hemiplegic Shoulder Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial.” Journal of Healthcare Engineering, vol. 2018, 2018, pp. 1-7.