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

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.