[Examination of the Effects of Kinesiotape and IQ Tape on Neuromuscular Activity during Running, Stair Climbing and Drop Jumps].

BACKGROUND

Kinesiotape application is said to have positive effects, e. g. metabolism-stimulating, decongesting, invigorating and analgesic effects, during exercise. The aim of this intervention study with a within-subject design was to examine the effects of different elastic tapes (Kinesiotape - KT, IQ-Tape - IQ, without tape: OT) on the neuromuscular activation of the flexor and extensor chain of the lower extremity when jogging, climbing stairs and performing drop jumps.

SUBJECTS/METHODS: Eighteen healthy adults (5 males and 13 females) with mean age of 26.29 ± 3.57 years and a body mass index of 22.3 ± 0.7 kg/m were recruited. The participants performed stair climbing, drop jumping and running at 10 km/h, 12 km/h and 15 km/h. Muscle activation of the vastus medialis and lateralis and biceps femoris and semitendinosus muscles, tibialis anterior muscle, gastrocnemius medialis and lateralis muscle were assessed to record the ratio of muscle activation of the anterior tibial muscle and the gastrocnemius medialis and lateralis muscles (T/G ratio) and the ratio of muscle activation of the vastus medialis and lateralis muscles and the biceps femoris and semitendinosus muscles (Q/I ratio) at the time before (-150 to 0 ms pre), during (0-30 ms post) and from 30 ms to 150 ms after the first ground contact by means of electromyographic measurements. The statistical analysis was carried out by means of the non-parametric L Puri Sen method. The significance level was set to < 0.05.

RESULTS

Two participants withdrew from the study. The raw data of 16 participants was analysed. During climbing down stairs, IQT shows a significantly better T/G ratio in the pre-activation phase (-150 to 0 ms) compared with no tape (p = 0.01). The comparison of the remaining applications with KT, IQT and no tape revealed no significant differences (p < 0.05) CONCLUSION:  It can be assumed that Kinesiotape (KT) und IQ-Tape (IQ) do not cause any relevant detectable changes in muscle activation in healthy individuals. Future studies should include patients with pathologically altered neuromuscular control.