Abstract
CONTEXT: Kinesio® Tape is a therapeutic elastic tape that has been used in a wide variety of populations to decrease pain, support the muscles and joints, improve circulation, and to strengthen muscles. However, there is limited clinical research to determine if Kinesio® Tape has an effect on eccentric force production of the rectus femoris in healthy populations. OBJECTIVE: To determine if Kinesio® Tape has an effect on eccentric force production of the rectus femoris in healthy, non-injured individuals as measured by the Biodex System 4 Pro Isokinetic Dynamometer. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Testing took place in the Florida Gulf Coast University Sports Medicine Lab. PARTICIPANTS: 51 healthy individuals ages 18-40 years. No knee injury or surgery in the past 6 months, no lower extremity rehabilitation in the last 6 months, no use of Kinesio® Tape around the knee within the past month, medically cleared PAR-Q and Health History Questionnaire. INTERVENTIONS: Kinesio® Tex Tape Gold with a "Y" cut for muscle facilitation technique for the rectus femoris. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Muscle peak torque (ft-lbs), time to peak torque (milliseconds), average peak torque (ft-lbs) measured at 60 degrees per second and 180 degrees per second for the rectus femoris on the Biodex Isokinetic Dynamometer. RESULTS: For the condition of tape vs. no tape there were no statistical differences found regardless of the speed of the eccentric contraction. The comparison of first trial versus second trial regardless of the tape condition resulted in a statistically significant greater average power for the second trial. CONCLUSION: This study's findings were inconclusive as to the ability of Kinesio® Tape to affect the eccentric force production of the quadriceps. Further research should include sham tape and mitigating the learning effect of the Biodex Isokinetic Dynamometer in eccentric mode. KEYWORDS: Kinesiotape, eccentric, force production, torque, Biodex, quadriceps femoris, knee, power, randomized controlled trial, Florida Gulf Coast University.