Strapping

Skeeter · 3 Aug 2012 at 20:57

I'm seeing more and more of the stick on strapping stuff on athletes in lots of sports. I assume its to support muscles with minor injuries and things. However, having seen a similar type of technology in the full body swim suits banned, is it likely we might see restrictions on this strapping stuff too?

If it can benefit an injured muscle, can it improve a fit one?

The_One · 3 Aug 2012 at 21:00

Theres been loads of reports saying it actually does nothing and any perceived benefits are simply placebos

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencet...esio-tape-Researchers-say-evidence-works.html

Steve Harridge, a professor of human and applied physiology at King's College London, said many athletes appeared to be wearing tape even when they had no injury, possible hoping for some preventative or enhancing effect.

'It may be a fashion accessory, and it may be just one of those fads that come along from time to time, but to my knowledge there's no firm scientific evidence to suggest it will enhance muscle performance,' he said.

Both scientists agreed, however, that there may be a benefit, in the form of the placebo effect.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencet...archers-say-evidence-works.html#ixzz22W0hCkYC

Azza · 3 Aug 2012 at 21:02

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elastic_therapeutic_tape

http://www.physioroom.com/product.p...&utm_campaign=125&pid=38824&cid=3366&affid=25

£2 a roll, buy a load, wrap yourself up from head to toe and you'll be running in a mile in less than 4 minute by this time next week!

No evidence at all that it improves performance, more of a placebo effect if you can call it that.

MrMoonX · 3 Aug 2012 at 21:02

Kinesio tape, yes it does have benefits used it myself

The_One · 3 Aug 2012 at 21:03

MrMoonX said:
Kinesio tape, yes it does have benefits used it myself

what are those then because research suggests otherwise also iirc you ahve to be specially trained to actually know how to apply it you cant just "stick it on"

Psycho Ned · 3 Aug 2012 at 21:04

It's 2012's version of those nose tapes or a bit of vic on your shirt

Skeeter · 3 Aug 2012 at 21:05

I assume if they had found that it provided benefits it would already be banned.

NightSt@lk3r · 3 Aug 2012 at 21:05

It's gaffer tape for the human body.

MrMoonX · 3 Aug 2012 at 21:07

The_One said:
what are those then because research suggests otherwise also iirc you ahve to be specially trained to actually know how to apply it you cant just "stick it on"

yes I know all about it thank you, Ive had it applied by a sports physio trained in kiniseology taping. Its definitely helpful if your injured or have a weakness

The_One · 3 Aug 2012 at 21:08

its a placebo you feel more confident because your strapped up

MrMoonX · 3 Aug 2012 at 21:10

The_One said:
its a placebo you feel more confident because your strapped up

yep cos science quoted by the daily mail is a credible source

The_One · 3 Aug 2012 at 21:14

daily mail are reporting on proper reserch that has been done

The_One · 3 Aug 2012 at 21:19

http://www.scienceofsocceronline.com/2008/08/cutting-edge-research-effectiveness-of.html

These results are in line with earlier studies. These studies show that the effects of Kinesio tape on strength, movement, range of motion and pain are very small and, for the most part, short lived. Thus, from a scientific perspective, Kinesio tape has not been shown to be any more effective than traditional taping or no treatment.

Athletes are very susceptible to the placebo effect. That is if they think a treatment will work, they believe that it actually does. Sometimes performance is improved by the placebo effect, many times it is not and sometimes, the placebo effect can actually mask impaired performance. Since most athletes are aware of the presence of Kinesio Tape, the potential for a placebo effect is great. It is possible that the placebo effect explains many of the effects described by athletes.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elastic_therapeutic_tape

Azza · 3 Aug 2012 at 21:20

Knock yourselves out

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=kinesio tape

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=kinesiology tape

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=KT Tape

Weebull · 3 Aug 2012 at 21:21

MrMoonX said:
yep cos science quoted by the daily mail is a credible source

As opposed to your serious study of saying "it works"?

Plenty of places have said there's been no finding of any physical improvement. It's a psychological aid.

MrMoonX · 3 Aug 2012 at 22:19

it works for me and other athletes, also if the elites are using it there must be some competitive advantage

Skeeter · 3 Aug 2012 at 22:21

MrMoonX said:
it works for me and other athletes, also if the elites are using it there must be some competitive advantage

Obviously, but the evidence does seem to suggest its a psychological one, rather than a physical one.

craarc · 3 Aug 2012 at 22:26

okie to dispell any myths

strapping can limit any unwanted movement or extended movement therefore limits range beyond what is optimal in certain areas and as a consequence "can" by restriction of certain muscle groups force others to take over or better to say have more prominence in a particular movement. and also restrict range to protect recovering or muscles that are weak in a particular range.

a bit like throttling back on some cpu instructions and helping prioritze others.

Q works in certain circumstances

A yes