Does Kinesio Taping Improve Exercise Performance And Recovery In Hot Conditions?

PURPOSE: Kinesio taping has been used as a therapeutic tool in rehabilitation protocols and the prevention of sports injuries, as well as for performance enhancement in athletic settings. However, the effectiveness of Kinesio taping remains controversial, with mixed results in research, leaving its overall efficacy unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to compare exercise performance and recovery rates under an environmental burden with and without Kinesio taping. METHODS: Ten healthy, physically active men (age: 25.7 ± 2.1 years; height: 173.2 ± 5.8 cm; weight: 76.7 ± 7.9 kg) performed a Bruce treadmill test until volitional fatigue in a heated environment (35 °C, 50% relative humidity), with (KTC) and without Kinesio taping (UTC). The tape was applied 10 cm below the anterior superior iliac spine, with the first 5 cm applied without tension, then stretched to 120% and applied in a straight line between the hip joint and patella, secured above and below the patella. Participants were assessed for blood flow (BF), maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), heart rate (HR), and blood lactate (BL) at baseline, after 30 minutes of acclimation, during treadmill exercise, and after 30 minutes of recovery. RESULTS: Baseline and resting measurements of BF, VO2max, HR, and BL were similar between conditions (p > 0.05). The results revealed no significant differences in any variables between conditions (p > 0.05), except for BF. BF was significantly higher in the KTC compared to the UTC during exercise (p < 0.05) (Table 1). Over time, VO2, HR, and BL significantly increased during exercise, immediately post-exercise, 10 minutes post-exercise, and 30 minutes post-exercise compared to baseline in both KTC and UTC conditions (all p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: When Kinesio tape was applied, BF significantly increased during and after exercise. However, VO2, HR, and BL did not differ between conditions. These results showed no evidence that Kinesio tape improves exercise performance or recovery in the heat.