Kinesiotaping enhances the rate of force development but not the neuromuscular efficiency of physically active young men

Igor Magalhães; Martim Bottaro; Rinaldo André Mezzarane; Frederico Ribeiro Neto; Bruno A Rodrigues; João B Ferreira-Júnior; Rodrigo Luiz Carregaro

doi:10.1016/j.jelekin.2016.04.003

Kinesiotaping enhances the rate of force development but not the neuromuscular efficiency of physically active young men

J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2016 Jun:28:123-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2016.04.003. Epub 2016 Apr 19.

Authors

Igor Magalhães¹, Martim Bottaro¹, Rinaldo André Mezzarane², Frederico Ribeiro Neto¹, Bruno A Rodrigues³, João B Ferreira-Júnior⁴, Rodrigo Luiz Carregaro⁵

Affiliations

¹ College of Physical Education, University of Brasilia (UnB), Brazil.
² Laboratory of Signal Processing and Motor Control, College of Physical Education, University of Brasília (UnB), Brasília, Brazil.
³ School of Physical Therapy, Campus UnB Ceilândia, University of Brasilia (UnB), Brazil.
⁴ Federal Institute of Sudeste of Minas Gerais, Campus Rio Pomba, Rio Pomba, Brazil.
⁵ College of Physical Education, University of Brasilia (UnB), Brazil; School of Physical Therapy, Campus UnB Ceilândia, University of Brasilia (UnB), Brazil. Electronic address: rodrigocarregaro@unb.br.

PMID: 27128956
DOI: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2016.04.003

Abstract

Introduction: Investigations on the effects of KT on human performance have been increasing in the last few years. However, there is a paucity of studies investigating its effects on neuromuscular efficiency (NME) and rate of force development (RFD).

Objective: To evaluate the NME and RFD of the soleus and gastrocnemius muscles in physically active individuals under KT application.

Method: Twenty young males (79.7±8.2kg; 1.78±0.05m; 24.7±4.4years) performed three conditions in a randomized order: (1) Baseline (BL, no tape); (2) Activation (ACTIKT, tape for muscle activation); and (3) Inhibition (INHIKT, tape for muscle inhibition). The tape was applied along the lateral and medial border of gastrocnemius with 30% tension for 48h. Peak torque (PT), RFD and NME were measured at BL and 48h after ACTIKT and INHIKT by performing a maximum isometric contraction.

Results: The RFD was significantly higher in ACTIKT compared to BL at 0-30 (P=0.010), 0-50 (P=0.008) and 0-100ms (P=0.007). The PT and NME did not differ among conditions (P>0.05).

Conclusion: KT applied for muscle activation yielded a higher RFD during the initial phase of the muscle contraction. However, KT has no enhancement effect on NME and peak torque.

Keywords: Knee; Muscle strength; Physical therapy.

MeSH terms

Adult
Athletic Performance
Athletic Tape / adverse effects*
Humans
Isometric Contraction*
Male
Muscle Strength*
Muscle, Skeletal / physiology*
Random Allocation
Torque