International Journal of Health Sciences

The Effects of Therapeutic Taping on Pain, Range of Motion, Power, Balance, and Strength, in Athletes and Non-athletes With and Without Acute Patellar Tendinopathy
Michael Massei, MSc; Dr. Eryk Przysucha, PhD; Dr. Paolo Sanzo, DScPT

Abstract
Kinesio tape (KT) and Leukotape (LT) constitute two of the most common types of therapeutic taping techniques used in injury rehabilitation. Currently, it is unclear if, or how, the use of such tapes may affect different motor abilities such as strength, power, balance, and range of motion (ROM), across different populations. Three female athletes with acute patellar tendinopathy (M = 20.0±1.0 years) and five nonathletes without (3 males and 2 females, 22.8 ±1.3 years) participated in this proof of concept preliminary study. A Group (comparison vs. affected) x Condition (KT; LT; No tape (NT)) mixed factorial design, with repeated measures on the second factor was implemented. Five dependent variables were examined including pain, ROM, power, balance, and strength. Overall, non-parametric statistics revealed no significant differences during the assessment of pain, ROM, power, balance, and strength. Therapeutic taping has minimal effect on varsity athletes and non-athletes with and without acute patellar tendinopathy.

Full Text: PDF     DOI: 10.15640/ijhs.v3n4a2