title: THE EFFECTS OF VARIED TENSIONS OF KINESIOLOGY TAPING ON QUADRICEPS STRENGTH AND LOWER LIMB FUNCTION.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Kinesiology Taping (KT) may promote changes in muscle strength and motor performance, topics of great interest in the sports-medicine sciences. These characteristics are purported to be associated with the tension generated by the KT on the skin. However, the most suitable tension for the attainment of these strength and performance effects has not yet been confirmed.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of the present study was to analyze the effects of different tensions of KT on the isometric contraction of the quadriceps and lower limb function of healthy individuals over a period of seven days.
  
  
  METHODS
  Blind, randomized, clinical trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and thirty healthy individuals were distributed into the following five groups: control (without KT); KT0 (KT without tension); KT50; KT75 and KT100 (approximately 50%, 75% and 100% tension applied to the tape, respectively). Assessments of isometric quadriceps strength were conducted using a hand held dynamometer. Lower limb function was assessed through Single Hop Test for Distance, with five measurement periods: baseline; immediately after KT application; three days after KT; five days after KT; and 72h after KT removal (follow-up).
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no statistically significant differences (p> 0.05) at any of the studied periods on participants' quadriceps strength nor in the function of the lower dominant limb, based on comparisons between the control group and the experimental groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  KT applied with different tensions did not produce modulations, in short or long-term, on quadriceps' strength or lower limb function of healthy individuals. Therefore, this type of KT application, when seeking these objectives, should be reconsidered.
  
  
  METHODS
  1b.
authors.affiliation: Grupo Especializado em Reabilitação Funcional (GERF), São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Julio Fernandes
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: de Jesus
authors.forename: Yuri Rafael Dos Santos
authors.initials: YR
authors.lastname: Franco
authors.affiliation: Irmandade da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Stella Bispo
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Nannini
authors.affiliation: Grupo Especializado em Reabilitação Funcional (GERF), São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Gustavo Bezerra
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Nakaoka
authors.affiliation: Universidade Nove de Julho (UNINOVE), São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Amir Curcio
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Dos Reis
authors.affiliation: Grupo Especializado em Reabilitação Funcional (GERF), São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Flavio Fernandes
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Bryk
keywords: Kinesiology taping; athletic performance; lower limb function; muscle strength dynamometer