title: Influence of kinesio tape application direction on peak force of biceps brachii muscle: A repeated measurement study.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Recanati School for Community Health Professions, Faculty of Health Sciences at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
authors.forename: Elisha
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vered
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Recanati School for Community Health Professions, Faculty of Health Sciences at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
authors.forename: Liron
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Oved
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Recanati School for Community Health Professions, Faculty of Health Sciences at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zilberg
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Recanati School for Community Health Professions, Faculty of Health Sciences at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel. Electronic address: kleonid@bgu.ac.il.
authors.forename: Leonid
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kalichman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D055052:Athletic Tape; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Kinesio tape; Muscle strength; Physiotherapy techniques