Immediate effect of forearm Kinesio taping on maximal grip strength and force sense in healthy collegiate athletes

Chang, Hsiao-Yun; Chou, Kun-Yu; Lin, Jau-Jia; Lin, Chih-Feng; Wang, Chun-Hou

doi:10.1016/j.ptsp.2010.06.007

« Previous Next »Physical Therapy in Sport
Volume 11, Issue 4 , Pages 122-127, November 2010

Immediate effect of forearm Kinesio taping on maximal grip strength and force sense in healthy collegiate athletes

Hsiao-Yun Chang
- School of Physical Therapy, College of Medical Science and Technology, Chung Shan Medical University, No.110, Sec.1, Jianguo N. Road, Taichung 40201, Taiwan
- Physical Therapy Room Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
Kun-Yu Chou
- Institute of Physical Education, National Taichung University, Taichung, Taiwan
Jau-Jia Lin
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
Chih-Feng Lin
- School of Physical Therapy, College of Medical Science and Technology, Chung Shan Medical University, No.110, Sec.1, Jianguo N. Road, Taichung 40201, Taiwan
- Physical Therapy Room Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
Chun-Hou Wang
- School of Physical Therapy, College of Medical Science and Technology, Chung Shan Medical University, No.110, Sec.1, Jianguo N. Road, Taichung 40201, Taiwan
- Physical Therapy Room Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- Corresponding author. School of Physical Therapy, College of Medical Science and Technology, Chung Shan Medical University, No.110, Sec.1, Jianguo N. Rd., Taichung 40201, Taiwan. Tel.: +886 4 24730022x11765; fax: +886 4 24733228.

Received 2 February 2010; received in revised form 7 June 2010; accepted 29 June 2010. published online 02 August 2010.

Abstract

Objectives

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

Design

Single group, repeated measures study.

Setting

Clinical sports medicine laboratory at a university hospital.

Participants

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).

Main Outcome Measures

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).

Conclusion

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.

Keywords: Elastic tape, Grip force, Proprioception