Immediate effect of forearm Kinesio taping on maximal grip strength and force sense in healthy collegiate athletes.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the immediate effects of applied forearm Kinesio taping on maximal grip strength and force sense of healthy collegiate athletes.


METHODS
Single group, repeated measures study.


METHODS
Clinical sports medicine laboratory at a university hospital.


METHODS
Twenty-one healthy collegiate athletes voluntarily participated in this study. All subjects were male (average height: 181.24 ± 7.60 cm; average body weight: 72.86 ± 7.03 kg; average age: 20.86 ± 2.59 years).


METHODS
First, maximal grip strength of the dominant hand was assessed by hand-held dynamometer. Then, 50% of maximal grip strength was established as the reference value of force sense. Absolute and related force sense errors and maximal grip strength were measured under three conditions: (1) without taping; (2) with placebo taping; and (3) with Kinesio taping.


RESULTS
Results revealed no significant differences in maximal grip strength between the three conditions (p = 0.936). Both related and absolute force sense errors in grip strength measurements significantly increased the accuracy of the results under the three conditions (related force sense errors: p < 0.05; absolute force sense errors: p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Forearm Kinesio taping may enhance either related or absolute force sense in healthy collegiate athletes. However, Kinesio taping did not result in changes in maximal grip strength in healthy subjects.
School of Physical Therapy, College of Medical Science and Technology, Chung Shan Medical University, No.110, Sec.1, Jianguo N. Road, Taichung 40201, Taiwan.
Hsiao-Yun
HY
Chang
Kun-Yu
KY
Chou
Jau-Jia
JJ
Lin
Chih-Feng
CF
Lin
Chun-Hou
CH
Wang
D000293:Adolescent; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D055052:Athletic Tape; D005542:Forearm / Q000502:physiology*; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D053581:Muscle Strength Dynamometer; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D011434:Proprioception; D012016:Reference Values; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013177:Sports / Q000502:physiology; D013178:Sports Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult