Effect of kinesio tape and rigid tape on electromyographic and shoulder kinematic during overhead activities in athletes

Abstract

Objectives: 1. To study effects of kinesio tape, rigid tape and no-tape on electromyographic of scapular muscle during overhead activities in athletes 2. To study effects of kinesio tape, rigid tape and no-tape on kinematic during overhead activities in athletes. Method: The participants were twenty overhead university athletes from various types of sports; softball, volleyball, badminton, tennis, swimming and water-polo. Their muscle activities were captured and tested by surface electromyography and kinematic data were tested by motion analysis system for measurement of angle of shoulder external rotation, shoulder internal rotation and velocity of throwing. In this experiment, there were three types of test condition; kinesio taping, rigid taping and no tape. Each type of taping would be performed five times. Athletes had to sit on a chair with a belt tighten their body and left arm while throwing the ball to the target point. Results: The data analysis using one-way ANOVA showed no significant change in results due to different types of tape on EMG and kinematic readings. (p>0.05) Conclusion: Although there was no significant effect difference in both types of taping but the observed tendency was that kinesio tape was more likely to increase muscle activity of lower trapezius and serratus anterior while, rigid tape tended to decrease muscle activation of upper trapezius, serratus anterior during overhead activities in athletes. Combination of both kinsio tape and rigid tape demonstrated the decreasing tendency of shoulder external rotation angle This is the preliminary research to provide the alternative method for prevention of injury in overhead activity in athletes.