The effects of kinesio tape and stretching on hamstring muscles flexibility

Abstract

Aim: Kinesio Tape (KT) is a dynamic treatment approach which is used for pain relief, painless movement, soft tissue healing, and edema by increasing the circulation. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of stretching exercises with KT on hamstring flexibility in young females. Material and Method: Thirty healthy young females participated in this study. The right leg hamstring muscles were stretched using PNF contract-relax technique and taped using KT (Group I; n=30), the left leg hamstring muscles were stretched by PNF contract-relax technique but they were not taped using KT (Group II; n=30). All the subjects were examined before and after the interventions (four weeks) with the active knee extension and modified sit and reach test. Results: Range of motion (ROM) and flexibility increased in both groups. When we compared the two Interventions, there were significant differences in terms of the active knee extension test scores. But there was no difference in results in a comparison of the modified sit and reach test scores (p>0.05). The improvements in Group I subjects were significantly greater compared to those of Group II (p=0.0001). Discussion: The results indicate that KT increased the effect of stretching exercises of hamstring muscles and improved ROM of the knee joint in healthy female subjects.

C1 [Demir, Erdem] Alanya Municipal Accessible Recreat Ctr, Antalya, Turkey.

[Yagci, Nesrin] Pamukkale Univ, Sch Phys Therapy & Rehabil, Kinikli Campus, TR-20070 Denizli, Turkey.