Delayed effect of Kinesio Taping on neuromuscular performance, balance, and lower limb function in healthy individuals: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

BackgroundKinesio Taping (KT) is an elastic bandage that aims to improve neuromuscular performance, although there is no consensus as to its benefits.ObjectiveTo analyze the immediate and delayed effects of KT on the neuromuscular performance of the femoral quadriceps, on balance, and lower limb function in healthy subjects.MethodThis is a randomized controlled trial. Thirty-six women with a mean age of 22.2±3.6 years and BMI of 22.5±2.3 Kg/m2 were divided into three groups: control, with ten minutes of rest (control, n=12), application of Kinesio Taping without tension (placebo, n=12) and with tension (KT, n=12) on the quadriceps. The primary outcome was isokinetic performance, while secondary outcomes were the single-hop test, one-footed static balance, and electromyographic activity. The evaluations were carried out in five stages: 1) before application of KT, 2) immediately after the application of KT, 3) after 24h, 4) after 48h, and 5) after 72h. Mixed ANOVA was used to determine differences between groups.ResultsThere was no change in one-footed static balance, electromyographic activity of the VL in the lower limb function, nor in isokinetic performance between groups.ConclusionKT promotes neither immediate nor delayed changes in neuromuscular performance of the femoral quadriceps in healthy women.

Effect of Short-Term Kinesiology Taping on Knee Proprioception and Quadriceps Performance in Healthy Individuals

“…With respect to EMG activity, even though the theories indicated that KT can activate skin receptors and improve neuromuscular recruitment, our study revealed no significant taping or time differences. VMO and VL activity did not change after taping for 0.5 or 1 h. The finding partly supports the results of previous studies where no significant difference was observed after taping 24 or 48 h (Lins et al, 2016). This study also supported other recent studies indicating that the stimulation of KT cannot activate quadricep activity (Lins et al, 2013;Oliveira et al, 2016;Serrao et al, 2016;Melo et al, 2018).…”

Os efeitos da bandagem elástica no músculo trapézio em adultos saudáveis

“…These findings are similar to those in the study (26) conducted to verify the immediate and late effects on the femoral quadriceps, on balance and lower limb function in 36 healthy women. Those women were randomly divided into three groups: control (with a 10-minute rest), one group wearing the elastic therapeutic tape applied with no tension on the quadriceps and the other group wearing the elastic therapeutic tape applied with tension on the same muscle.…”

“…Creating a group who had the elastic therapeutic tape applied with no tension (in this case, G2) was justified by the hypothesis that only stimuli in the integumentary system would already be enough to stimulate the somatosensory receptors inserted in the skin and thus produce motor responses (2) . According to certain authors (5,26) , integumentary stimulation by applying tension-free elastic therapeutic tape may be considered a kind of placebo.…”

Kinesio Taping effects with different directions and tensions on strength and range of movement of the knee: a randomized controlled trial

“…According to the recent literature, there are many studies relating to Kinesio Taping, muscle strength and ROM. 12,21---27 In relation to strength, three studies 12,21,22 compared the effects of Kinesio Taping on quadriceps strength in health subjects and did not find any improvements when compared to a control group (no taping) and placebo group (KT without tension). Similarly, two studies 23,24 did not find any improvements on quadriceps strength in soccer players when compared KT to placebo taping (KT without tension and micropore).…”