Kinesio Taping™ effects with different directions and tensions on the muscle activity of the rectus femoris of young adults with a muscle imbalance promoted by mechanical vibration: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

BackgroundTherapeutic strategies such as improvement muscle activation are fundamental for clinical practice, especially for the quadriceps muscle. It is not yet clear in the literature whether Kinesio Taping (KT) can modify muscle activation. This study sought to evaluate the effect of Kinesio Taping™ (KT) with different directions and tensions on the muscle activity of the rectus femoris in young adults with a muscle imbalance promoted by mechanical vibration. Thirty-two subjects were allocated into two groups: group A, used taping origin to insertion and group B, used taping insertion to origin. In both groups the dominant limb received the taping while the non-dominant limb was used as a control. A continuous vibration (60 Hz) was conducted on the patella tendon for 20 min before the electromyography (EMG) evaluation. Mean and maximum EMG values of the rectus femoris were collected during three maximal isometric voluntary contractions performed in 5 s. Muscle activity was evaluated three times: prior to KT application, immediately after KT placement, and 24 h later. These evaluations were done with 0% (no tension), with 10% (paper off), and with 75–100% (total tension) on both groups. Significance level of p < 0.05 was used.ResultsCompared with no intervention, on group A, there were differences for mean and maximum EMG values 24-h post-application with 0%, 10%, and 75% of tension (p < 0.05). On group B, there were differences for maximum EMG values immediately and 24 h post-application with 0% and 75% of tension (p < 0.05). There were no differences between both groups (p > 0.05).ConclusionsKinesio Taping applied with different directions and tensions increased the muscle activity immediately and 24 h post-application of the rectus femoris of healthy individuals. The inhibition technique cannot decrease the muscle activity.