Efecto del Kinesio taping sobre la respuesta refleja de los músculos bíceps femoral y gemelo externo

Abstract

Objective To analyze the immediate effect of the application of Kinesio Tape (KT) on reflex response of biceps femoris and gastrocnemius lateralis subject to a sudden and unexpected perturbation applied to the knee by means of a technique known as quick release. Methods Eleven healthy individuals volunteered to take part in this study (23.6±3.0 years; 171.8±6.8 cm; and 63.3±9.7 kg). An electrogoniometer was used to determine the onset of the perturbation and superficial electromyography was recorded to compare the intensity and the latency of the reflex response of biceps and grastrocnemius under two different conditions: without bandage (control) and with bandage (KT). In order to assess the inter-experimenter reliability, two groups of researchers independently calculated the response intensity (peak of the normalized electromyography) and latency (the time it takes between the start of the perturbation and the onset of muscle activation). Results The data obtained by both groups were similar (t-test: p≥0.04). In addiction, with the exception of the activation peak of grastrocnemius in the KT condition (ICC=0.363), high correlations between groups were found for most of the variables (0.741≤ICC≤0.996). With regard to the effect of the bandage, significant differences between the control and the KT conditions were not found (t-test: p≥0.123). However, the observed trend was a muscular response of lower intensity and larger latency when the KT was used. Conclusions Our results suggest the application of KT does not have an immediate effect on the reflex response of the analyzed muscles.