The Effects of Quadriceps Kinesio Taping on Aerobic and Anaerobic Exercise Performance in Healthy Participants: A Randomized Controlled Study

Abstract

Objective: Aerobic and anaerobic exercise capacities are important components of athletic performance. The use of Kinesio Taping (R) (KT) as a supplementary treatment in athletic settings has increased in the recent years. KT can facilitate muscle contraction, which may be useful for improving performance. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the application of KT to the quadriceps muscle has any effect on anaerobic and aerobic performance in young healthy individuals. Design: Randomized, controlled, double-blind clinical study. Setting: Baskent University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation. Patients: Thirty-two healthy male participants were randomly assigned to either the KT group or a sham KT (SKT) group. Interventions: The KT muscle facilitation technique was applied to the quadriceps muscle bilaterally and measurements were taken 45 min later to ensure full adhesion. Main Outcome Measures: The Wingate cycle ergometer test was used to assess peak anaerobic power (peak AnP, in Watts) and exercise capacity (Watt/kg), while the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) was used to assess aerobic exercise capacity of the participants. Comparisons between groups were performed using the nonparametric Mann-Whitney U test, while those between baseline and posttaping used the nonparametric Wilcoxon test. Results: No significant difference was found between the two groups in the aerobic or anaerobic test parameters (p > .05). Within the groups, a significant improvement in time factors in peak AnP (929.7 2 +/- 184.37 W to 1043.49 +/- 224.42 W) was found only in the KT group (p = .028) and no other parameter was significantly different (p > .05). Conclusions: KT applied to the quadriceps muscle can positively improve anaerobic exercise performance and athletic performance capacity. However, KT did not affect aerobic capacity. Further research is needed to show that KT can improve and support anaerobic and aerobic exercise capacity in healthy participants or athletes.