Context Deviations in scapular motions and subsequent alterations in associated soft tissues are thought to contribute to overuse shoulder injuries in overhead athletes. Whereas rigid and Kinesio taping are recommended for preventing these injuries, high-level evidence from clinical trials is still needed. Objective To determine and compare the short-term effects of rigid and Kinesio taping on scapular dyskinesis, scapular upward rotation, and pectoralis minor length in asymptomatic overhead athletes. Design Randomized controlled trial. Setting Athletic training rooms. Patients or Other Participants Seventy-two elite asymptomatic overhead athletes (age = 17.00 ± 4.09 years, height = 1.75 ± 0.11 m, mass = 67.26 ± 15.25 kg, body mass index = 21.80 ± 3.00). Intervention(s) We randomly assigned participants to 1 of 4 groups: rigid taping, Kinesio taping, placebo, or control (no taping). For the first 3 groups, we applied tape to the shoulder and scapular region. Main Outcome Measure(s) We evaluated all groups for observable scapular dyskinesis using the scapular dyskinesis test, scapular upward rotation using a digital inclinometer, and pectoralis minor length using the pectoralis minor index at baseline, immediately after taping, and at 60 to 72 hours after taping. Results The scapular dyskinesis percentage (P < .05) decreased and the pectoralis minor index (P < .001) increased immediately and at 60 to 72 hours after taping in the rigid-taping and Kinesio-taping groups. We observed no differences among groups for the change in the pectoralis minor index (P > .05). Scapular upward rotation did not change after taping in any group (P > .05). Conclusions Rigid or Kinesio taping of the shoulder and scapular region improved scapular dyskinesis and pectoralis minor length but did not alter scapular upward rotation. Short-term rigid and Kinesio taping may help improve scapular dyskinesis and pectoralis minor length in overhead athletes.

Kinesio taping may improve and rigid taping may worsen glenohumeral internal rotation and PST in overhead athletes. For increasing total rotation range of motion, kinesio taping is superior to rigid taping. Taping did not affect posture. Short-term kinesio taping in overhead athletes may be useful to improve glenohumeral internal rotation, total rotation range of motion, and PST.

Objective:The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of shoulder and scapular region rigid taping and kinesio taping on scapular dyskinesis and pectoralis minor shortness in overhead athletes.Method:This study included 72 overhead athletes. The athletes were randomly divided into four groups: kinesio taping (shoulder and scapular region) was applied to Kinesio Taping Group (KB), rigid taping (shoulder and scapular region) was applied to Rigid Taping Group (RB), placebo kinesio taping was applied to Placebo Taping Group (PB). Control group received no tape. Demographic data of overhead athletes, anthropometric characteristics, pain severity and injury background were evaluated before taping. Pectoralis minor shortness (Pectoralis Minor Index) and scapular dyskinesis (Scapular Dyskinesis Test) were evaluated before taping, immediately after (30-minutes) taping and after 48 hours of use within 12-24 hours. Control group was evaluated at the same periods.Results:Before taping; demographic, anthropometric and sports-related characteristics were similar in groups and there was no statistically difference (p>0.05). It was determined that Pectoralis Minor Index (PMI) and scapular dyskinesis improved immediately after taping and after 48 hours of use in KB and RB (p<0.05). There were no significant differences after taping for PMI among groups (p>0.05).Conclusion:Kinesio taping and rigid taping seems to have positive effects on scapular dyskinesis and pectoralis minor shortness in overhead athletes. Future studies on larger sample size are needed to verify the differences of the effects of these taping techniques between placebo or controls.