Vastus lateralis vastus medialis obliquus muscle activity during the application of inhibition and facilitation taping techniques

Abstract

To evaluate the effect of inhibition and facilitation taping techniques on the activity of vastus lateralis and vastus medialis obliquus. Repeated-measures design. Laboratory in an educational institution. Thirty healthy females aged between 18 and 23 years. Subjects were tested during the application of inhibition tape, facilitation tape and no tape to vastus lateralis in random order. Electromyographic activity of vastus lateralis and vastus medialis obliquus during stair descent was recorded using bipolar surface electrodes. Electromyographic activity of vastus lateralis and vastus medialis obliquus during the application of inhibition tape or facilitation tape did not alter significantly compared with no tape condition. Taping designed to inhibit or facilitate muscle activity via sensory stimulation does not affect vastus lateralis or vastus medialis obliquus activity in healthy subjects. Further investigation is required to find a means of muscle taping that could be recommended as an intervention for patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome.