Effect Kinesio Taping on Acute-onset Muscle Soreness and Calf Muscle Extensibility Among Endurance Athletes

Immediate Effect oF Kinesio Taping on Calf Soreness and Extensibility Among Endurance Athletes

In recent years, athletes have frequently utilized Kinesio tape (KT) to enhance their performance. Despite widespread use, data regarding its efficacy and mechanism of action is lacking among healthy endurance athletes. This study aims to determine the effect of KT application on acute-onset muscle soreness and the extensibility of the calf muscles in endurance athletes.

The study followed a single-blinded one-arm crossover repeated-measures randomized controlled design and included fifty-five endurance athletes (mean age, 16.40±2.69) from different stadia in Delhi, India. Outcome measures, including the ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ADFROM), were measured using a universal goniometer before, immediately after application of either KT or Sham tape, and after treadmill running. However, the pain due to acute-onset muscle soreness was measured using a numeric pain rating scale (NPRS) immediately, 10 min, and 30 min after treadmill running.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Endurance athletes, including Cyclists, Badminton players, Long-distance runners
• Both males and females aged between 10-20 years
• Having BMI within the normal range (19-25)
• Cooperation in the study

Exclusion Criteria:

• Other than endurance athletes
• Aged less than Ten and more than 20 years
• BMI fall beyond the normal range, either underweight or overweight
• Musculoskeletal injuries, skin problems
• Non-cooperation in the study