Kinesio Taping and Jump Performance in Female Elite Track and Field Athletes

OBJECTIVE: The application of kinesio taping (KT) to lower extremity muscles as ergogenic aid to improve muscle strength related parameters such as jumping is controversial. The aim of the study was to test the hypothesis that the application of KT enhances the jumping performance of healthy non-injured elite female track and field athletes.

DESIGN AND SETTING: A double one-legged jump test was performed before and after the application of blue colour K-Active tape without traction on the maximally stretched gastrocnemius, hamstrings, rectus femoris and iliopsoas muscles according to the generally accepted technique.

PARTICIPANTS: Eighteen German female elite track and field athletes (age: 21±2 years, height: 172±4 cm, body mass: 62±5 kg, active time in their sport: 13±4 years) participated in the study.

RESULTS: Factorial analysis of variance with repeated measures (ANOVA, Bonferroni) revealed no significant differences in jumping performance between the tests (p > 0.05, d = 0.26).

CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the application of KT has no influence on the jumping performance in healthy, non-injured female elite athletes. We do not recommend the use of KT for the purpose of improving jump performance.