Acute effects of kinesiology tape tension on soleus muscle h-reflex modulations during lying and standing postures

Abstract

Kinesiology tape (KT) has been widely used in the areas of sports and rehabilitation. However, there is no gold standard for the tape tension used during a KT application. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of KT application with different tension intensities on soleus muscle Hoffmann-reflex (H-reflex) modulation during lying and standing postures. Fifteen healthy university students were tested with 3 tape tension intensities during separate visits with a randomized sequence: tape-on no tension (0KT), moderate (about 50% of the maximal tape tension: (ModKT), and maximal tape tension (MaxKT). During each experimental visit, the H-reflex measurements on the soleus muscle were taken before, during, and after the KT application for both lying and standing postures. The Hwave and M-wave recruitment curves were generated using surface electromyography (EMG). There was a main effect for posture (p = 0.001) for the maximal peak-to-peak amplitude of the H-wave and M-wave (H max /M max) ratio, showing the depressed H max /M max ratio during standing, when compared to the lying posture. Even though the tension factor had a large effect (η p 2 = 0.165), different tape tensions showed no significant differential effects for the H max /M max ratio. The spinal motoneuron excitability was not altered, even during the maximal tension KT application on the soleus muscle. Thus, the tension used during a KT application should not be a concern in terms of modulating the sensorimotor activity ascribed to elastic taping during lying and standing postures.

Kinesiology Tape: A Descriptive Survey of Healthcare Professionals in the United States

“…Different KT tensions were not found to have positive effects among healthy individuals for quadriceps strength, 84,85 knee joint range of motion, 85 lower extremity hop test, 84 the gastrocnemius and soleus H-Reflex, 86,87 and EMG activity of the quadriceps and hamstrings during a loaded squat exercise. 88 However, other researchers have reported that KT does facilitate the H-Reflex 89 and shoulder muscle EMG activity 90 among healthy individuals.…”

Effects of elastic taping on kyphosis and body balance in the elderly: a randomized crossover study

“…The tension of elastic tape is exponentially correlated to force generation 22 . However, the effects of different tension degrees of taping to neuromuscular stimulation are still equivocal.…”

“…Shakeri et al 23 found elastic tape increased muscle strength, but the different tension was not related to increased muscle strength. Chen et al 22 showed the different tension had no effect on modulating sensorimotor activity. Craighead et al 24 showed the microvascular skin blood flow increased after applied Kinesio tape, but it was not related to degree of tape tension.…”

The Time-Based Effects of Kinesio Taping on Acute-Onset Muscle Soreness and Calf Muscle Extensibility among Endurance Athletes: A Randomized Cross-Over Trial

“…However, recent work conducted by Chen et. al on the triceps surae muscle during both lying and standing postures indicates that the change in intensity of tension of the KT does not have much effect on the spinal motor neuron excitability; therefore, in terms of modifying sensory-motor activity, the tension applied during a KT application should not be an issue [ 14 , 15 ].…”