Kinesiology taping does not alter shoulder strength, shoulder proprioception, or scapular kinematics in healthy, physically active subjects and subjects with Subacromial Impingement Syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effect of kinesiology tape (KT) on shoulder strength, proprioception, and scapular kinematics in healthy and Subacromial Impingement Syndrome (SAIS) subjects.


METHODS
Placebo-controlled quasi-experimental study.


METHODS
Research laboratory.


METHODS
A total of 30 physically active subjects participated. Ten healthy subjects with no previous history of shoulder pathology received KT on the dominant shoulder. Twenty subjects with shoulder pain for a minimum of two weeks and presenting with clinical signs of impingement were allotted to receive KT (n = 10) or placebo taping (PT, n = 10) on the involved shoulder.


METHODS
All participants were tested pre- and post-application. Shoulder internal/external rotation (IR/ER) strength was assessed with isokinetic dynamometry (average peak torque/body weight). Shoulder IR/ER proprioception was assessed through threshold to detect passive motion (mean absolute error in degrees). Scapular position at 90° and 120° of shoulder abduction during arm raising/lowering were assessed using a 3D motion analysis system.


RESULTS
No significant within group or between group differences were demonstrated for any measure.


CONCLUSIONS
Taping does not appear to aid/impair shoulder strength, shoulder proprioception, or scapular kinematics. Future research should explore if the effects of KT are time-dependent and similar in other pathologies.
Neuromuscular Research Laboratory, Department of Sports Medicine and Nutrition, University of Pittsburgh, 3830 South Water Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203, USA. Electronic address: kak170@pitt.edu.
Karen A
KA
Keenan
Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, Widener University, Chester, PA 19013, USA.
Jonathan S
JS
Akins
Department of Sport and Movement Sciences, Salem State University, Salem, MA 01970, USA.
Michelle
M
Varnell
Sports Medicine Research Center, College of Health Sciences, University of Kentucky, Charles T. Wethington, Jr. Building, Lexington, KY 40536, USA.
John
J
Abt
Neuromuscular Research Laboratory, Department of Sports Medicine and Nutrition, University of Pittsburgh, 3830 South Water Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203, USA.
Mita
M
Lovalekar
Sports Medicine Research Center, College of Health Sciences, University of Kentucky, Charles T. Wethington, Jr. Building, Lexington, KY 40536, USA.
Scott
S
Lephart
Michael W. Krzyzewski Human Performance Laboratory, Duke University, DUMC 102916, Durham, NC 27705, USA.
Timothy C
TC
Sell
D000328:Adult; D055052:Athletic Tape; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011434:Proprioception / Q000502:physiology; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D012540:Scapula / Q000503:physiopathology*; D019534:Shoulder Impingement Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*
Kinesiology tape; Proprioception; Scapular kinematics; Strength; Subacromial Impingement Syndrome (SAIS)