Sports Taping: What is it?

Athletes frequently rely on techniques like sports taping to boost performance and prevent injuries. In our commitment to optimising our clients’ physical well-being, Cairnhill Physiotherapy explores the value of sports taping, its varied applications, and the science behind its effectiveness.

 

What is Sports Taping?

Sports taping involves the application of specialised tape directly to the skin to stabilise and support vulnerable muscles, joints, and ligaments. It is designed to restrict the movement of injured joints, compress soft tissue to reduce swelling and facilitate normal movement and muscle action. While sports taping is not considered a guarantee against injury, it can offer numerous benefits in terms of injury prevention, pain relief, and enhanced joint stability. Athletes often use taping as an adjunct or temporary technique to protect against niggling injuries and instil confidence on the field or court.

Many scientific studies have found some evidence of the positive effects of sports taping on biomechanics, muscle activation patterns, and proprioception (the body’s ability to sense its position, movement, and force). Interestingly, it is evidence of the psychological benefits of using sports taping that is emerging. Recent research demonstrates that athletes consistently report improved confidence, support, and reassurance by taping or bracing an area of their bodies, regardless of whether the area is injured. 

At Cairnhill Physiotherapy, we recognise the importance of providing athletes with the tools they need to excel, and we integrate sports taping into our holistic approach to assist athletes in reaching their peak potential.

 

Applications across sports

Sports taping is widely used across many sports to prevent injuries, mitigate existing injuries and allow players to persevere with training and competition.

Common applications include:

Football: Helps stabilise ankles and knees to prevent sprains.

Basketball: Offers some ankle and wrist protection for agility and stability.

Rugby: Can support shoulders and knees amidst physical play.

Running: May ease shin splints and knee pain, improving biomechanics.

Gymnastics: Boosts wrist and ankle stability for confidence in complex movements.

High-profile sports stars are often seen sporting brightly coloured kinesiology tape, including tennis stars Novak Djokovic and Li Na, footballer Cristiano Ronaldo and several All Blacks.

Many athletes consider the use of sports tape as a form of drug-free pain relief. Others believe that taping targeted areas of the body can trigger a psychological response, serving as a reminder for specific actions, like moving in a particular manner or maintaining good posture. 

 

The Science Behind Sports Taping

The effectiveness of sports taping is grounded in scientific principles that affect biomechanics, muscle activation, and proprioception. Citing many studies on the efficacy of taping on functional performance in elite athletes, researchers suggest that sports taping offers mixed results with differing impacts on different performance aspects.  

Taping appears to deliver advantages that can improve overall performance, and the positives tend to outweigh the negatives. 

 

Biomechanics

Sports taping can alter joint biomechanics by providing external support and limiting excessive movement. It helps to maintain proper alignment and stability, reducing the stress placed on vulnerable structures. By optimising joint mechanics, taping allows athletes to perform at their best while minimising the risk of injuries.

 

Muscle Activation

Taping can also influence muscle activation patterns, enhancing muscle function and performance. It can facilitate proper muscle firing sequences, ensuring optimal force production and coordination. All of these may improve movement efficiency and reduce muscle fatigue during training and competition.

 

Proprioception

Proprioception refers to the body’s capacity to perceive its own position, motion, and force. Sports taping can enhance proprioceptive feedback by providing additional sensory input to the skin and underlying tissues. This heightened awareness allows athletes to make precise movements, maintain balance, and react swiftly to changing situations on the field.

Scientific studies, such as those published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research and the International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy, demonstrate some of the positive effects of sports taping on biomechanics, muscle activation patterns, and proprioception. 

Sports taping has become an indispensable tool for athletes across various sports, offering a range of benefits in terms of injury prevention, pain relief, and enhanced performance. Whether providing stability to the ankle in football, supporting the wrists in gymnastics, or improving running biomechanics, taping continues to help sportspeople with their physical well-being and performance. 

At Cairnhill Physiotherapy, we are dedicated to supporting athletes through our expertise in sports massage and sports injury treatments. By incorporating sports taping into our comprehensive approach, we help athletes perform at their best and reach their full potential.