Personal belief on elastic tape and tape tension affect perceived performance, but not muscle activity and endurance

Previous studies reported inconsistent outcomes on elastic taping for three potential reasons: 1) poor control of placebo effect; 2) no consensus regarding the optimal tape tension; and 3) lack of investigation on muscle endurance, as the proposed tape recoiling force may not promote peak force generation but exert a consistently low force and improve submaximal contraction.

This study compared the effects of elastic tape and its tension on muscle activity and endurance in people with extremely positive and negative personal belief on elastic tape.

Using a validated instrument, we identified 20 participants with extremely positive personal belief on elastic tape (+ belief), and 20 with extremely negative personal belief (- belief). They performed wrist isometric endurance tests under three taping conditions (i.e. no tape, 50%, and 100% tension). We measured isometric wrist extensor muscle endurance, electromyography muscle activity, and self-perceived performance for each condition.

The differences between the two groups in isometric muscle endurance (p = .85) and muscle activity (p = .53) were not statistically significant, regardless of tape conditions. However, participants with + belief reported better perceived performance than those with - belief (p < .001, partial eta squared = 0.70). Specifically, 100% tape tension yielded stronger self-perceived performance than 50% tension (Cohen's d = 0.91) and no tape (Cohen's d = 1.86). On the other hand, participants with - belief perceived similar performance across tape tensions (p = .55).

Elastic tape does not modulate muscle activity and enhance muscle endurance. People with a strong positive personal belief on elastic tape may perceive a better performance with a greater tape tension.