Gastrocnemius Kinesio Taping: A Strategy to Preserve Lower Limb Damping during Fatigue and Its Implications for Injury Prevention

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to investigate the impact of Kinesio tape (KT) on the viscoelastic properties of the lower limb, specifically stiffness and damping, before and after a fatigue protocol. KT is a commonly used therapeutic intervention believed to prevent injury, yet the available evidence on its effectiveness remains limited. Methods: In this pre-post study, fifty healthy participants underwent countermovement jumps before and after a fatigue protocol. The study assessed the body's viscoelastic behavior under two conditions: with and without Kinesio tape (KT) applied to the gastrocnemius muscle, in both fatiguing conditions. Results: The findings revealed a notable reduction in lower limb damping among male participants after fatigue in the condition without tape. Conversely, in the condition with tape, there was no significant change in damping, indicating that KT may prevent the significant decrease in lower limb damping induced by fatigue. Conclusion: The study offers evidence supporting the beneficial effects of KT in maintaining shock absorption capacity post-fatigue. These benefits may stem from KT's potential to enhance muscular activity and contraction force. Given that muscles act as primary shock absorbers, KT application could bolster their ability to dampen sudden impact forces post-exhaustion, potentially lowering the risk of impact-related injuries. These findings advocate for the use of KT as a preventive measure.

Keywords

• athletic performance
• countermovement jump
• exhaustion
• tape
• viscoelastic behavior