The Effects of Kinesio Taping on Heel-Rise Endurance and Gastrocnemius Muscle Oxygenation in Healthy Young Adults

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Kinesio Taping: Y-shaped Kinesio Tex elastic tape applied to the gastrocnemius muscle with approximately 50% stretch following muscle facilitation principles.

Sham Taping: Y-shaped Hypafix tape applied to the gastrocnemius muscle without stretch using the same anatomical configuration.

Study summary

acilitative kinesio taping (KT) is commonly used by athletes to support muscle performance and delay fatigue. However, evidence regarding its effects on muscle endurance and oxygenation remains inconsistent. This study aims to investigate the acute effects of facilitative KT applied to the gastrocnemius muscle on heel-rise endurance performance and local muscle oxygenation in healthy young adults.

In this randomized crossover trial, participants will complete two experimental sessions: one with facilitative kinesio taping and one with sham taping. After taping application, participants will perform a single-leg heel-rise test to task failure. Muscle oxygenation will be continuously monitored using a portable near-infrared spectroscopy device. The findings of this study may contribute to understanding whether kinesio taping has immediate physiological and performance-related effects on calf muscle endurance.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Total Concentric Work (J) — Measured during the single-leg heel-rise test in each experimental session (Day 1 and Day 2)
  Total concentric (positive) mechanical work (Joules) performed during a metronome-guided single-leg heel-rise test to task failure on the dominant limb. Work output will be measured using the Calf Raise App (computer-vision-based motion analysis).
• Percent Change in Gastrocnemius Muscle Oxygen Saturation at 20 Seconds (%ΔSmO₂_20s) — From baseline rest to 20 seconds during the single-leg heel-rise test in each experimental session (Day 1 and Day 2)

Trial sites (1)

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