This stuff is called Kinesio tape. A bit of history:

Kinesio tape has actually been around for quite a while. Kenzo Kase, a Japanese chiropractor and acupuncturist, designed the tape and taping method back in 1979. Kase believed a flexible tape would stimulate better circulation to an injured muscle due to its tug on the skin. Traditional tape and taping methods were thought to be too restrictive and even exacerbate injuries as a result of the inhibited flow of inflammatory fluids under the skin.

Does Kinesio tape actually expedite recovery from muscle injury, or is it also used to enhance performance? If solely used for injuries, there must have been dozens of wounded Olympians competing. My guess is the tape is used for performance benefits as well. If so, does it work or is it yet another gimmick one must use to “keep up with the Joneses?”

A study conducted in Italy attempted to determine the immediate effects of kinesio taping on maximal muscle strength of the dominant quadriceps of 36 healthy subjects. Subjects were tested across three different sessions, randomly receiving three experimental kinesiotaping conditions:

1. Tape applied with the goal of enhancing muscle strength.
2. Tape applied with the goal of inhibiting muscle strength.
3. Tape applied incorrectly with the goal to deceive.

Quadriceps muscle strength was measured by means of an isokinetic maximal test performed at 60 and 180 degrees per second. Two secondary outcome measures were also performed: a one-leg triple jump for distance to measure leg performance and the Global Rating of Change Scale to calculate the correlation between the Kinesio taping technique and the subjective perception of strength.

Here is what they found:

None of the three taping conditions showed a significant change in muscle strength and performance. The effect size was very low under all conditions. Only a few subjects showed an individual change greater than the minimal detectable change. Global Rating of Change Scale scores demonstrated low to moderate correlation with the type of taping applied, but some placebo effects were detected independent of the condition.

This study concluded no significant effect in maximal quadriceps strength immediately after the application of enhancing, inhibiting, or deceptive Kinesio taping. Therefore, the test results do not support the use of Kinesio taping as a means of altering maximal muscle strength in healthy people.

That stated, there are also those skeptical about the Kinesio taping’s effect. According to Dr. Nicholas Fletcher, an assistant professor of orthopedic surgery at Emory University, there are few large scientific studies regarding its effectiveness. Dr. Fletcher stated, “I think, if anything, there is a placebo effect involved, and there probably is a little bit of a peer pressure effect. When people see athletes who are doing so well, they think, ‘Maybe this could work for me.’”

Things come and go in the fitness industry – ankle weights, salt tablets, compression garments, toning shoes, sauna suits, ad nauseam. Some even come back. Kinesio taping may be the classical case of revisiting the past.

Does Kinesio taping facilitate recovery for injured muscles? I do not know. Does it enhance athletic performance? We need more research to determine that. What’s your experience? Let us know in the comments below.

Photos courtesy of Shutterstock.

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You have probably seen more and more athletes working out or performing while wearing athletic tape in various patterns all over their bodies. Known as kinesiology taping or kinesio taping it is unlike athletic taping of the past. Kinesiology taping first began as a way to promote healing from injury, but has since evolved to become a performance enhancing technique.

Greg van den Dries first became fascinated by this taping method when he was recovering from his own leg injury. Through research he learned the many uses of the tape. The tape itself, however, was hard to get ahold of unless you were certified through a manufacturer. Greg decided to remedy this situation by founding his own company, RockTape and innovating his own method of taping, PowerTaping.

How Can Tape Help?

You are probably asking yourself the same question most people ask – how can tape help your performance? According to RockTape, there are a few reasons.

Sensorimotor (proprioceptive) system – As explained in the PowerTaping manual, “It is a system of receptors (in this case cutaneous/skin receptors) that communicate with the brain about the body’s position. If we can tap into that system and heighten the aware of our body in space, we can enhance performance.” Essentially the tactile nature of the tape makes your body hyper aware of its own location and movements.

Inflammation control – RockTape lifts skin away from the underlying fascia, which holds blood and lymph vessels and nerves. This extra space relieves fluid congestion, reduces inflammation and pain, and allows for increased blood flow and therefore accelerated healing. By keeping inflammation at bay, pain receptors are not activated and this also allows for enhancements in performance.

Kinetic chain – PowerTaping was developed based on the concept of muscles acting as parts in a chain. It uses the “all one fascia” concept explained by Thomas W. Myers in his book Anatomy Trains. Essentially what this means is you are taping the movement pattern, not an isolated body part. One beneficial aspect of this method of taping is the “snap back” phenomenon. This means the elastic recoil of the RockTape assists in bringing muscles back to their original position efficiently when a movement is completing. This results in an increase in performance.

PowerTaping has application for all levels of athletes, as it can be used in five main areas:

• Rehabilitation
• Edema Control
• Postural Control
• Pregnancy
• Sports Performance

I highly recommend if you purchase RockTape to also purchase the PowerTaping manual as it goes into great detail on how to tape for all five purposes and even contains special sections on activities like taping for natural running. The website, www.rocktape.com, also has instructional videos available.

Rock Sauce

In addition to RockTape there is also Rock Sauce. A topical pain reliever, Rock Sauce combines the cooling effects of menthol with the heating effect of methyl salicylate. It contains large percentages of both ingredients in comparison to other pain relievers on the market and you will definitely feel it when you apply it to your body. Rock Sauce claims to reduce inflammation and sooth sore muscles.

My Experience

Based on the advice given to me by RockTape founder Greg van den Dries, I used a combination of Rock Sauce and RockTape on my lower back before a workout. The workout involved clean and jerks, which can be taxing on the back. I also taped a chronic shoulder injury. It is helpful to have a second person to assist you with taping, as some body parts can be hard to position and tape correctly at the same time.

Once I began exercising, I found my lower back warmed up more quickly and was far less tight after the workout than is typical. I also experienced less post-workout achiness in my shoulder. During the workout I completely forgot I was wearing the tape, it melded so seamlessly to my body. It did not inhibit my movements in any way.

The Rock Sauce, as a topical painkiller, also worked well. It is very strong, so be mindful of administering it yourself if you are in a small, closed space (like a bathroom). It made my eyes water! Once it was on my back and shoulder, though, it felt fantastic and the smell faded quickly. I did not receive a single comment from anyone all evening in regards to the medicine smell, so it was a better experience than I have had in the past with topical painkillers. For best benefit, Greg recommended putting the Sauce on the site before taping, making sure to wipe it clean before applying the tape, and then dotting the tape with additional Sauce that will soak through.

RockTape, Rock Sauce and the PowerTaping manual are all available for $20.00 and up at shop.rocktape.com.

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