Effekte des elastischen Tapings auf das neuromuskuläre System

Introduction: Elastic taping is a special type of bandage that is applied directly to the skin. Because of its elasticity there is no restriction of movement compared to regular athletic tape. There are different techniques for tape application taught in commercial courses offered by tape industry. The application of elastic tape is recommended in cases of muscle injury or injury of ligaments, changes of muscle tone, fascial dysfunctions, declined lymphatic flow, hyperalgesia and it is also used for prevention of injury and enhancement of muscular strength in healthy individuals. Elastic tape is applied in sports medicine, rehabilitation and physiotherapy. Despite common use of elastic tape there is only poor evidence of the effects and mechanisms so far. Aims: For healthy individuals it is claimed that elastic tape improves muscular strength, proprioception and muscle tone, reduces muscular exhaustion, minimizes muscle soreness and increases muscular perfusion and flexibility for healthy individuals. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of elastic tape on 50 healthy participants in a randomized, controlled clinical trial. Methods: Maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) of the extensors of the knee was measured in an isometric dynamometer for every participant (M1). Meanwhile, superficial EMG signals were registered for Mm. vastii medialis and lateralis in both legs. After randomization elastic tape (Leukotape K}) was applied along the course of M. rectus femoris on one leg only (interventional group). There was no tape administered to the other leg (control group). Thereafter both legs were maximally exhausted in an isokinetic dynamometer. After wearing the elastic tape for a period of 48 hours a second MVIC and sEMG were registered (M2). After an exhaustive isokinetic excercise a third MVIC (M3) was measured. The same procedure was applied to both legs. Results: There was no significant difference of the enhancement of isometric strength between control and interventional group (p = 0,61). This also holds true for the sEMG of M. vastus medialis and lateralis ( p (VM) = 0.07, p (VL) = 0.09). To identify the impact on muscular exhaustion the difference of the average strength between M2 and M3 was evaluated. No significant differences could be observed neither for strength (p =0,49) nor sEMG ( p (VM) = 0.84, p (VL) = 0.70). Discussion: Concordant to other studies no significant effect was shown for elastic taping to improve muscle strength, to minimize muscular exhaustion or to change muscle tone in sceletal muscle for healthy individuals. Further research should investigate the effect of the period of wear, the influence on different types of strength and the effects on patients with different pathologies.