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Kinesiological taping, frequently used today for the prevention and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries and to support athlete performance, has become a popular technique in the field of sports science. However, scientific evidence on the short-term effects of this application on athletes is limited. In this context, the aim of this study is to evaluate the acute changes in functional performance parameters such as speed, agility, and explosive power in football players who underwent kinesiological taping.
The aim of this study is to examine the acute effects of kinesiological taping on agility, speed, and lower extremity explosive power in football players. Participants aged 14-18 years who meet the inclusion criteria will be randomized into kinesiological tape (n:12) and sham tape (n:12) groups using a closed envelope method. The T-Agility Test will be used for agility, the 30 m Sprint Test for speed, and the Standing Long Jump Test for lower extremity explosive power. All participants will perform agility, speed, and explosive power tests after the same warm-up program. Following the initial assessment, participants will undergo quadriceps muscle technique using kinesiological taping and sham taping by the same physiotherapist. Tests will be repeated immediately after the tapes are applied. The findings are expected to provide information on the potential of kinesiological taping to contribute to short-term performance improvement in soccer players and its effects on preventing sports injuries.
Kinesiological taping, also known as elastic bandaging, is a treatment method developed by Kenzo Kase in 1973. Kinesiological tape (KT) application is a technique aimed at improving muscle function by strengthening weakened muscles, providing cutaneous stimulation that facilitates or restricts movement, reducing edema by directing fluid to lymphatic channels and lymph nodes, correcting joint position to alleviate muscle spasms, and reducing pain through neural pathways.
Sports and functional performance, which is the result of the interaction of many mental and physical factors, includes fundamental components such as jumping, strength, endurance, and flexibility. One of the most important factors for improving and maximizing athletic performance is the development of physical abilities. With the increasing use of KT among both elite and amateur athletes in recent years, studies on the effect of KT on sports performance have also increased, but different results have been reported.
Although KT has shown various effects on sports injuries, pain reduction, range of motion, and muscle strength, the results of studies on performance determinants are contradictory. A review of the literature reveals uncertainty regarding the application method and mechanisms of action of KT. It is noteworthy that inconsistencies exist. Therefore, further studies and evidence are needed to confirm the effectiveness of kinesiological taping.
Therefore, one of the aims of our study is to contribute to the literature by investigating the effectiveness of kinesiological taping. Additionally, we aim to demonstrate the effectiveness of a methodology addressing the confusion and uncertainty surrounding parameters such as the application method and tension of the taping technique, and to provide data based on the literature regarding the application method and results of kinesiological taping techniques.
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| Label | Type | Description | Intervention Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kinesio Group | Experimental | Kinesiological taping for participants in the group will be applied using the "muscle technique" method, which aims to facilitate muscle activation. In this technique, the tape is applied with minimal tension (20-30%), directed from proximal to distal or from origin to insertion. The endpoint of the tape is rounded to prevent peeling of the edges and to increase the length of the tape application. During the application, the athlete lies supine on the treatment table, and is expected to bring the relevant muscle into a tense position by hanging the treated extremity over the edge of the bed. In the application, the taping will be performed with the proximal part of the muscle as the origin and the tibial tuberosity region as the endpoint. |
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| Sham Group | Sham Comparator | The participants in the group were scheduled to undergo a sham procedure, described as a fake and ineffective application. In this procedure, a KT (tape tape) cut to the same dimensions would be applied ineffectively without any tension or orientation, and the athletes would be blinded to this information. |
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| Name | Type | Description | Arm Group Labels | Other Names |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kinesiology Taping | Other | Quadriceps kinesiology taping using muscle technique. |
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| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| T-Agility test | The T-test consists of four contact points formed in a T shape in an area 10m long and 10m wide. The aim of this test is to enable the subject to complete a series of tasks in the shortest possible time by moving in different directions and in different ways between these contact points. Unlike other agility tests, the subject always looks in the same direction. The change of direction is done by sliding steps to the right and left or by running backward. The test requires covering a total distance of 40m, consisting of two 90° turns and one 180° turn, as well as 10m forward, 10m to the right, 10m to the left, and 10m backward. | Baseline and immediately after taping application (within 5 minutes) |
| 30 m Sprint time | The 30-meter sprint test is a sprint assessment designed to measure an athlete's acceleration and maximum speed over a distance of 30 meters. In this test, the athlete starts in a stationary position and completes the 30 meters by sprinting. Times are usually recorded at 10 and 20 meters to allow for analysis of acceleration and speed development during the test. | Baseline and immediately after taping application (within 5 minutes) |
| Standing long jump tests | The aim is to jump the furthest possible distance without stepping (explosive power). Participants will stand behind the starting line with their feet shoulder-width apart and will be instructed to push off forcefully and jump as far forward as possible. The participant's feet must land simultaneously, and they must remain upright. The test will be performed twice, and the highest score, i.e., the greatest distance achieved, will be used for analysis. If participants fall backward or touch the ground with any other part of their body, they will be allowed another attempt. | Baseline and immediately after taping application (within 5 minutes) |
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Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
Only male soccer players aged 14-18 years are included to ensure population homogeneity and reduce variability related to sex-specific physiological and hormonal differences that may influence performance outcomes. Participants are licensed athletes competing in the Regional Amateur League, which is organized separately for male players in this age group.
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| Name | Role | Phone | Extension | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Batuhan Aksu | Contact | batuhanaksu01@hotmail.com |
| Name | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|
| İrem Çetinkaya, PhD | Haliç University | Principal Investigator |
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A Randomized, Sham-Controlled Trial
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| Sham Taping |
| Other |
Sham taping applied to quadriceps (non-therapeutic application) to mimic taping without intended physiological effect. |
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