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Influence of kinesio tape application direction on peak force of biceps brachii muscle: A repeated measurement study
Elisha Vered1, Liron Oved1, Daniel Zilberg1
1Department of Physical Therapy, Recanati School for Community Health Professions, Faculty of Health Sciences at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
Background:
According to the kinesio tape (KT) method, proximal-to-distal (P-to-D) application of KT should facilitate muscle activity (increase strength), distal-to- proximal (D-to-P) should decrease muscle activity (decrease strength) and applications in other directions should not influence muscle strength.
Objective:
To evaluate the influence of KT application direction on peak force of biceps brachii in healthy subjects.
Methods:
16 students participated in a single group repeated measurements study. KT was applied randomly on both anterior arms as follows: no KT; P-to-D; D-to-P; or two horizontal stripes. Peak force of biceps was measured after each application by a blinded investigator.
Results:
No difference in biceps peak force was found after evaluating no KT, P-to-D and D-to-P. After the horizontal application, peak force was found statistically significantly higher than in the other conditions.
Conclusions:
Traditional assumptions of the KT method, suggesting that P-to-D application stimulates muscle and D-to-P relaxes the muscle, seem to be false. However, we do confirm that applying KT in various directions differently effects muscle strength.
