The Effect of Patellar Medial Glide Taping and Vastus Medialis Oblique Taping on Vastus Medialis Oblique and Vastus Lateralis Activity During Wall Squat

Background: A disrupted activation balance or temporal control between the vastus medialis oblique (VMO) and vastus lateralis (VL) muscles can cause excessive patellar lateral gliding, leading to patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). Selective VMO strengthening exercises are recommended for patients with PFPS. Kinesio taping (KT), developed using elastic tape considering the movement of muscles and joints, has been recommended as a treatment for PFPS due to its effects, such as normalizing muscle tension, enhancing joint and muscle sensory input, and improving blood circulation. KT can induce both facilitation and inhibition effects on muscles, depending on the application direction and tension. Conflicting findings regarding effectiveness suggest the need for more studies on taping techniques to selectively strengthen the VMO.