Taping to Improve Scapular Dyskinesis, Scapular Upward Rotation, and Pectoralis Minor Length in Overhead Athletes

Abstract

Context Deviations in scapular motions and subsequent alterations in associated soft tissues are thought to contribute to overuse shoulder injuries in overhead athletes. Whereas rigid and Kinesio taping are recommended for preventing these injuries, high-level evidence from clinical trials is still needed. Objective To determine and compare the short-term effects of rigid and Kinesio taping on scapular dyskinesis, scapular upward rotation, and pectoralis minor length in asymptomatic overhead athletes. Design Randomized controlled trial. Setting Athletic training rooms. Patients or Other Participants Seventy-two elite asymptomatic overhead athletes (age = 17.00 ± 4.09 years, height = 1.75 ± 0.11 m, mass = 67.26 ± 15.25 kg, body mass index = 21.80 ± 3.00). Intervention(s) We randomly assigned participants to 1 of 4 groups: rigid taping, Kinesio taping, placebo, or control (no taping). For the first 3 groups, we applied tape to the shoulder and scapular region. Main Outcome Measure(s) We evaluated all groups for observable scapular dyskinesis using the scapular dyskinesis test, scapular upward rotation using a digital inclinometer, and pectoralis minor length using the pectoralis minor index at baseline, immediately after taping, and at 60 to 72 hours after taping. Results The scapular dyskinesis percentage (P < .05) decreased and the pectoralis minor index (P < .001) increased immediately and at 60 to 72 hours after taping in the rigid-taping and Kinesio-taping groups. We observed no differences among groups for the change in the pectoralis minor index (P > .05). Scapular upward rotation did not change after taping in any group (P > .05). Conclusions Rigid or Kinesio taping of the shoulder and scapular region improved scapular dyskinesis and pectoralis minor length but did not alter scapular upward rotation. Short-term rigid and Kinesio taping may help improve scapular dyskinesis and pectoralis minor length in overhead athletes.

Comparing the effects of no intervention with therapeutic exercise, and exercise with additional Kinesio tape in patients with shoulder impingement syndrome. A three-arm randomized controlled trial

“…Although the study design allows for controlling non-specific effects of the intervention, adding a control group just applying Kinesio tape may be useful to control non-specific Kinesio tape effects. Fourth, although previous similar studies did not observe any considerable effect of placebo Kinesio tape, 11,33 we believe that the results of our study would be more reliable if we had another group that received a placebo Kinesio tape and we could observe how the placebo Kinesio tape can change the measured outcomes. Finally, it was not clear if patients' precision about pain and disability scores was affected by the length of time of Kinesio tape application and hands-on interaction in therapeutic exercise with the Kinesio tape group.…”

“…Kinesio tape was applied based on the study of Ozer et al 11 The taping technique was to improve shoulder and scapular biomechanics during exercises. In the first session, the physical therapist explained the details about Kinesio tape (e.g., history, materials, different colors, and different usage based on the techniques) for patients in therapeutic exercise with Kinesio tape group.…”

“…[7][8][9] The effect of Kinesio tape as a single intervention on scapular kinematics, in previous studies, has not been fully confirmed. 10,11 Conversely, adding Kinesio tape to different interventions acted as an extrinsic feedback mechanism to improve posture, alter muscle activity, and improve muscle recruitment patterns. 9,12 Saracoglu et al 13 in their systematic review about the use of Kinesio tape on shoulder impingement syndrome pointed out that it can be useful associated with exercises especially at the beginning of the treatment.…”

Effects of Kinesiology Taping on Shoulder Posture and Peak Torque in Junior Baseball Players with Rounded Shoulder Posture: A Pilot Study

“…In a previous study involving scapula correction in female handball players, kinesiology tape was applied by being stretched from the coracoid process past the upper trapezius to the lower trapezius, leading to improvement in the posterior tilt and upward rotation of the scapula through the mechanical effect of the kinesiology tape [37]. When kinesiology tape was stretched and applied to overhead athletes with scapular dyskinesis, mechanical correction of the abnormal scapular movement was observed [38]. Applying kinesiology tape to individuals with RSP showed that when the tape was stretched and applied to both shoulders while both scapulae were retracted, the shoulders of the individuals tried to return to the previous RSP but the kinesiology tape, due to its reduced elasticity, conferred resistance to RSP-thus creating an immediate correction effect [25].…”

The Short-term Effectiveness of Scapular Focused Taping on Scapular Movement in Tennis Players With Shoulder Pain

“…Hsu et al (23) reported that elastic taping, such as kinesiology taping, resulted in increased lower trapezius activity and positive scapular movement in baseball players with impingement syndrome. Ozer et al (24) reported that taping, regardless of the material, improved scapular dyskinesis and pectoralis minor length in overhead athletes. Although there has been much debate in the literature about whether or not taping is bene cial in patients and athletes with shoulder pain (25,26), many scholars and practitioners believe that it merely provides mechanical stabilization, rather than therapeutic e cacy (25).…”