Investigating the immediate effect of kinesiology tape on the recruitment pattern of the H reflex of the lateral gastrocnemius muscle and performance in athletes suffering from gastrocnemius muscle trigger point

Abstract

Introduction

The aim of this study was to investigate the immediate effect of real and sham kinesiology tape on the H-reflex recruitment pattern of the gastrocnemius muscle and its performance in athletes with trigger points of this muscle.

Methodology

Thirty-eight athletes (13 women and 25 men) with trigger points in the gastrocnemius muscle were allocated to either the kinesiology tape group or the sham tape group. Standard adhesive elastic kinesiology tape was used for inhibitory application in the kinesiology tape group. The kinesiology tape group received real elastic kinesiology taping on the gastrocnemius muscle, while the sham tape group received a placebo application. In the sham group, the kinesiology tape was applied horizontally above the navel without any tension.

After a 3-day washout period, participants switched groups (sham to real, and vice versa). Outcome measures included the H-reflex recruitment curve of the lateral gastrocnemius muscle and functional performance tests, recorded by a blinded evaluator. The primary H-reflex parameters included: threshold, ascending slope of the recruitment curve, stimulation intensity required to record maximum H, descending slope of the curve, final intensity of the curve, Hmax/Mmax ratio. Functional tests included a 20-m sprint and a vertical jump.

Results

H-reflex parameters (maximum H current intensity and descending slope) were inhibited following real taping. In the sham group, H-reflex parameters (maximum H current intensity, final H, and descending slope) were also inhibited compared to the real group. The jump height in the sham group was lower than in the real group, and jump height in both groups decreased after the intervention compared to before.

Conclusion

Kinesiology taping led to inhibition of motor neuron excitability in the gastrocnemius muscle.